Damage caused by a fire at Breezy Point is shown Tuesday in the New York City borough of Queen. AP PHOTO
NEW YORK – Firefighters in boats rescued more than 25 people from 50 homes in a New York neighborhood that were destroyed by a mass blaze after superstorm Sandy, officials said Tuesday.
The Breezy Point district of Queens was left a smoldering tangle of wood and metal on Tuesday after the blaze. Firefighters said it was “a miracle” that only two minor injuries were reported.
Floodwaters were chest high on the street and firefighters used boats to make rescues, a fire department spokesman said.
About 25 people were trapped in an upstairs apartment in one home, and the apartment roof was ablaze when the people were rescued, according to New York media reports.
Smoke from the blaze covered a wide area.
Breezy Point is near Rockaway Beach, where firefighters rescued many people from flood-stricken homes during the mega-storm.