There are currently 5 injuries to civilians, and 7 injuries to Firefighters reported, all non-life-threatening. The 5-alarm fire at 45-02 45 St #Queens has been placed under control pic.twitter.com/f7k2L7EO3B
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 13, 2018
Dec. 13 (UPI) -- A fire in New York City ripped through a restaurant and a row of stores overnight and sparked explosions that injured a dozen people, officials said.
The five-alarm fire started in a restaurant in Sunnyside strip mall in the Queens borough of New York City at 2:10 a.m. Thursday, a New York City Fire Department spokesman said.
Several explosions were reported by residents, possibly from cars that caught fire. Firefighters were enveloped in a cloud of smoke after at least one of those explosions, as the back of the restaurant collapsed.
"The cause of the collapse is undetermined, but we suspect it was a backdraft situation, where a small explosion caused the collapse," FDNY Assistant Chief Anthony Devita said.
More than 200 firefighters responded to the blaze, which was put out by about 8 a.m., officials said.
Twelve people including, seven firefighters and five civilians, suffered injuries and were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
Though most injuries were minor, one civilian suffered serious fractures, but is expected to survive.
In addition to the restaurant, a hardware store, a lingerie store and a UPS store were among the retail spaces damaged.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
