QUEENS — A fire that broke out in a multi-family house in Astoria on Monday afternoon displaced nearly 20 people — four of them children, according to the New York Red Cross.
The fire started in the two-story dwelling at 25-38 27th St., just off Astoria Boulevard, at 2:44 p.m. and was under control by 3:23 p.m., according to the FDNY. No injuries were reported, a spokesman said.
An FDNY official at the scene said the fire appeared to have been caused by work that was being done to the roof of the building.
Disaster response workers were on site Monday evening helping those displaced by the blaze, according to the New York Red Cross.
"Our role here at the scene is really to support the families at this bewildering and desperate moment," said New York Red Cross CEO Josh Lockwood, who was working a 24-hour disaster relief shift to raise awareness for fire safety.
Lockwood said they were working to line up temporary housing for the residents affected by the fire.