Three Dead, Four Injured in Queens House Fire

A deadly fire broke out early Easter Sunday in a Queens home in Jamaica Estates, killing three people and leaving at least one other in critical condition. FDNY officials reported that the house, which had been illegally converted into multiple apartments, was overcrowded and filled with makeshift walls and blocked exits, which contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze and made escape and rescue efforts difficult. There was no evidence of working smoke detectors in the home, a factor fire officials repeatedly stressed as critical for safety. Several survivors had to jump out of windows to escape, and firefighters suffered minor injuries while bringing the fire under control. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, but authorities highlighted the dangerous living conditions, including extension cords and substandard egress. City records and complaints indicate longstanding concerns about illegal conversions and overcrowding at the residence.