Astoria Auto Shop Fire Injures 3, Spews Smoke Into Neighborhood

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A Dutch Kills auto shop caught fire early Monday, injuring three firefighters and spewing smoke that could be smelled in the surrounding neighborhood.

The fire broke out just before 2 a.m. inside the auto repair shop at 38-21 23rd St., near the corner of 39th Avenue, an FDNY spokesperson said.

Firefighters encountered "heavy fire" in the two-story building, but managed to get the blaze under control before 5 a.m., authorities said.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to the FDNY.

Videos posted to the Citizen app showed flames pouring out of the building. Meanwhile, on Astoria's Reddit page, multiple users reported smelling strong odors of smoke Monday morning.

"It smelled like a barbecue and then burning rubber," one resident wrote.