A fire has ripped through one of New York City's oldest churches as crews rushed to save the historic structure from the blaze.
Four firefighters have been injured as a result of the blaze, with one in serious condition.
The firefighter in serious condition was struck in the head by falling roof debris, and is conscious and alert.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) sent 270 fire and EMS personnel to the Reformed Church of Astoria on the city's 12th Street, between Astoria Boulevard and 27th Avenue.
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Officials have said the fire started at a residence attached to the church at around 6.45pm before quickly spreading to the church.
FDNY has said the fire reached five alarms, with intense flames seen outside the front of the church.
Pictures shared by officials showed FDNY Ladder 117 being used to extinguish flames from the top of the church.
Multiple fire crews are seen attempting to extinguish the fire in video shared as operations continue.
Intense flames were seen from outside the church as firefighters attempted to battle the blaze
|FDNY
Roads have been blocked off for emergency vehicles as the church fire continues.
There is not yet any reports on any injuries or the cause of the fire.
Authorities have asked the public to close windows and avoid going outside in the area.
A number of churches have been set alight in recent years, with a church in Amsterdam being partially destroyed this year in the early hours of New Year's Day.
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Multiple fire crews attempted to extinguish and suppress the fire, which started in a residence attached to the church
|FDNY
The Vondelkerk collapsed in on itself and cut the electricity of almost nearby 100 homes.
And on February 23, King's Hall Methodist Church in London was partially destroyed, with 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters deployed to the scene.
The three-storey structure in Southall was first constructed in 1916.
There have been 3,237 cases of criminal damage, vandalism, and arson to British churches between 2022 and 2024.
The First Reformed Church of Astoria was founded in 1839.
It was originally known as the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the Village of Astoria.
Astoria is located within the borough of Queens and was known as Hallet's Cove at the time of the church's founding.
Prior to becoming mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani represented the area in the New York State Assembly.
And in the US House of Representatives, it has been represented by Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez since 2019.