Illegal Blowtorch Usage by Contractor Causes Massive Fire in Sunnyside, Queens

A devastating fire in Queens that displaced hundreds of residents was caused by a contractor's illegal use of a torch, according to the FDNY. The fire started when the contractor used the torch to heat lead paint off a metal closet door frame in a 6th-floor apartment. The building is currently deemed structurally unsafe, and residents have not been allowed back inside. The Red Cross and NYC Emergency Management are providing support to the displaced residents, including meals and temporary accommodations. The building owner will provide hotels for the families until January 2, after which they will be placed in apartments in another building.