Four Firefighters Injured In Warehouse Fire In Queens

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Four firefighters were injured after a Queens warehouse went up in flames Wednesday evening.

CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported heavy black smoke was seen for miles as bright orange flames shot out of the roof of a single-story warehouse at 43-34 37th Street in Sunnyside.

The fire grew more intense as more than 250 firefighters worked to put it out as it reached five alarms.

The business -- listed as New York Custom Interior Millwork Corporation -- is a family-owned woodwork and interior design company. The material inside fueled the fire.

"It had a lot of wood, a lot of laquers, thinners, paint in the shop, which led to a quick fire spread," FDNY Chief James Leonard said. "We originally went into the building. Originally the first units got trapped by fire behind them. They were able to extricate themselves and get themselves out of the building safely and at that point we decided to go to an exterior attack."

The warehouse was closed at the time, so no employees were inside.

Residents were worried about the thick black smoke and how harmful it could be.

"It was a weird, immense smell. It was really strong," Woodside resident Kelvin Mercer said.

"Close your windows, stay away from the smoke," Leonard said. "It's the products of combustion. We asked that question right away what's burning, but we hope most of it is consumed in the fire."

Service on the 7 line was not affected.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.