A landmark vanished from the Astoria, Queens skyline Thursday evening as a devastating fire consumed the First Reformed Church, a beloved institution standing for over 130 years.
The blaze erupted around 6:45 p.m., originating in a vacant rectory adjacent to the church itself. Within moments, flames leaped to the historic structure, quickly escalating into a ferocious inferno.
The First Reformed Church’s roots stretched back to the 1830s, serving a Dutch Reformed parish for generations. Ironically, this wasn’t the first time fire had claimed a house of worship on this site; a previous church building was destroyed by flames in 1888.
The church that burned this week, with its cornerstone laid in 1888, was a stunning example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Detailed terra cotta, copper accents, and a majestic octagonal tower and steeple defined its presence in the neighborhood – a steeple that had itself been rebuilt after a lightning strike.
The scale of the fire demanded an overwhelming response. Eighty-four FDNY units, comprising over 270 firefighters and EMS personnel, battled the blaze, quickly escalating to a fifth-alarm fire.
Thick, acrid smoke billowed through the surrounding residential area, forcing evacuations as firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading flames. The sheer intensity of the fire and the age of the building presented immense challenges.
“Once the fire gets into these old churches behind the walls and into the roof space, it’s very difficult to extinguish,” explained FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods. The risk of collapse loomed large, threatening the safety of the firefighters themselves.
That danger tragically materialized as portions of the roof and walls crumbled, sending debris crashing down. At least one firefighter was struck by falling material, suffering an injury.
In total, six firefighters sustained injuries while combating the intense blaze. Their dedication and bravery were on full display as they fought to control a fire that seemed determined to consume everything in its path.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, leaving the community to grapple with the loss of a cherished landmark and the uncertainty of what the future holds for the site.
