By Sophia Chang
The fire in the unoccupied 2.5-story Queen Anne house at 124-17 88th Ave. swept through all the floors around 3 p.m., gutting the interior, the Fire Department said. Two firefighters had minor injuries as a result of containing the fire, officials said.The cause was unknown, and the investigation was ongoing, the Fire Department said.The well-kept house, with two Christmas wreaths flanking the front door, had been empty for at least two years, according to neighbors.”I was waiting in the car and I saw smoke coming out of the house,” said Maria Cardona, a teenager who lives across the street. She and her cousin, Jorge Resrestrepo, called 911. The witnesses said flames were visible and smoke was everywhere.”When they came, they started breaking all the windows and stuff,” Resrestrepo said. “Nobody lives there,” Maria said. “The landlord's brother came by everyday, though.”According to property records, the house is owned by Frank A. Lenti. Calls placed to a listed number were not returned.
