FLUSHING, Queens — A ferocious four-alarm fire tore through a mixed-use building in Flushing on Monday afternoon, killing four people — including a young child — and forcing desperate residents to leap from upper floors to escape the flames, fire officials said.
The blaze erupted shortly before 12:30 p.m. March 16 in a three-story structure at 44-49 College Point Boulevard near Avery Avenue, according to the New York City Fire Department. The building housed commercial businesses on the ground floor and residential apartments above.
FDNY officials described the fire as fast-moving, fueled in part by windy conditions that day. Flames originated on the first and second floors and quickly spread, engulfing much of the structure by the time firefighters arrived just four minutes after the initial 911 call.
Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, including the child. A fourth person succumbed to injuries after being transported to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens. At least 12 others were injured, including several who jumped from third-floor windows in a bid to flee the inferno. Five firefighters also suffered non-life-threatening injuries while battling the blaze.
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Witnesses described chaotic scenes as thick black smoke poured from the building and residents screamed for help. Some trapped on upper levels had no choice but to jump, landing on sidewalks and pavement below. Emergency responders treated multiple people for jump-related injuries, burns and smoke inhalation at the scene and nearby hospitals.
Investigators have not yet determined the official cause of the fire, but neighbors pointed to a vacant apartment allegedly occupied by squatters as a focal point. One resident, speaking anonymously to reporters, said the unit where the blaze may have started was supposed to be empty.
“The apartment was vacant. Nobody was supposed to be living there. They were squatting,” the neighbor, a 30-year-old woman who declined to give her name, told the New York Daily News.
The presence of unauthorized occupants in the allegedly vacant unit has raised questions about building safety, illegal occupancy and potential fire hazards in the densely populated Flushing neighborhood. City officials have not confirmed whether squatters were directly involved in starting the fire or if the blaze originated in that specific apartment, but the detail has drawn attention amid ongoing concerns about squatting in New York City’s housing-strapped boroughs.
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FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, speaking at a news conference near the charred building, called the incident “devastating” and praised first responders for their rapid arrival and heroic efforts under extreme conditions.
“This was a very challenging fire due to the speed of spread and the number of people who needed rescue,” Kavanagh said. “Our members did everything possible to save lives, but sadly, we lost four today, including a precious child.”
The victims’ identities have not been publicly released pending family notifications and medical examiner confirmation. Officials described the child as young, though an exact age was not immediately available. Some reports indicated a 3-year-old boy was among the deceased, but authorities have not verified that detail.
The building, a mixed-use property common in Flushing’s commercial-residential corridors, sustained heavy damage. Structural engineers were assessing stability late Monday, and parts of College Point Boulevard remained closed into Tuesday as cleanup and investigation continued.
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Mayor Eric Adams expressed condolences in a statement, calling the deaths “heartbreaking” and vowing a thorough probe.
“Our first responders ran toward danger once again to save lives,” Adams said. “We will support the families affected and work to prevent such tragedies in the future.”
The fire highlights persistent challenges in Queens, where older buildings, overcrowding and occasional illegal conversions contribute to fire risks. Flushing, a vibrant immigrant hub, has seen multiple serious blazes in recent years, often linked to electrical issues, cooking accidents or unauthorized modifications.
Neighbors gathered near police tape Monday evening, some holding candles and photos, as grief rippled through the tight-knit community. One local shop owner nearby said the smoke was visible for blocks and the sirens seemed endless.
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“It happened so fast,” the owner said. “One minute everything was normal, the next the whole building was on fire.”
As of Tuesday morning, March 17, the FDNY’s fire marshal unit continued its origin-and-cause investigation. Arson has not been ruled out, though no criminal charges have been announced. Officials urged anyone with information to contact authorities.
The tragedy comes amid broader discussions about housing enforcement in New York City, where vacant properties sometimes attract squatters seeking shelter in a market with soaring rents and limited affordable options.
Community leaders called for stronger inspections and support for vulnerable residents. “This isn’t just about one fire — it’s about making sure every building is safe, especially for families and children,” one advocate said outside the scene.
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Fire officials reminded residents to install and maintain working smoke detectors, create escape plans and avoid unauthorized occupancy that can compromise building safety systems.
As investigators comb through the wreckage, the Flushing community mourns four lives lost in an instant — a stark reminder of fire’s indiscriminate danger in one of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
Shares in Perth-based high-performance computing provider DUG Technology have lifted on news it settled a long-running legal battle with a US subsidiary of Shell.
Docusign, Inc. (DOCU) Q4 2026 Earnings Call March 17, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Company Participants
Matt Sonefeldt – Head of Investor Relations Allan Thygesen – President, CEO & Director Blake Grayson – Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
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Robbie Owens – Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division Tyler Radke – Citigroup Inc., Research Division Mark Murphy – JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division Patrick Walravens – Citizens JMP Securities, LLC, Research Division S. Kirk Materne – Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division Allan M. Verkhovski – BTIG, LLC, Research Division Josh Baer – Morgan Stanley, Research Division Aleksandr Zukin – Wolfe Research, LLC Rishi Jaluria – RBC Capital Markets, Research Division Patrick McIlwee – William Blair & Company L.L.C., Research Division
Presentation
Operator
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Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining DocuSign’s Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] As a reminder, this conference is being recorded and will be available for replay on the Relations section of the website following the call. [Operator Instructions]
I will now pass the call over to Matthew Sonefeldt, Head of Investor Relations. Thank you. You may begin.
Matt Sonefeldt Head of Investor Relations
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Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, and welcome to DocuSign’s Q4 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call. Joining me on today’s call are DocuSign’s CEO, Allan Thygesen; and CFO, Blake Grayson. The press release announcing our fourth quarter fiscal 2026 results was issued earlier today and is posted on our Investor Relations website along with a published version of our prepared remarks.
Before we begin, let me remind everyone that some of our statements on today’s call are forward looking, including any statements regarding future performance. We believe our assumptions and expectations related to these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results or performance to be materially different. In
Dell’s workforce has fallen by 10% for a third year in a row, according to annual reports filed Monday.
As of Jan. 30, the Texas-based tech giant reported a headcount of 97,000 employees, down roughly 11,000 from its previous year of 108,000.
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The reductions were primarily driven by cost-cutting measures, including employee reorganizations, restricted external hiring and facility consolidation to better align investments.
“Throughout Fiscal 2026, we remained committed to disciplined cost management in coordination with our ongoing business modernization initiatives and continued to take certain measures to reduce costs,” the company said.
The exterior of a Dell Technologies office building Jan. 4, 2023, in Round Rock, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Over the years, Dell has implemented numerous cost-cutting measures, including employee reorganizations, restrictions on external hiring and other steps to better align its investments with strategic and customer priorities.
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In its most recent reports, Dell highlighted the extensive integration of AI and machine learning technologies across its operations, including IT management, software solutions and the use of specialized servers.
Dell, whose shares have risen roughly 20% so far this year, said in February the company expects revenue from its AI-optimized server orders to double by 2027.
The Dell Technologies logo is prominently displayed at the company’s pavilion during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, March 5, 2026. (Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
According to its fiscal 2026 report, Dell recorded total severance charges of $569 million, compared with $693 million in 2025 and $648 million in 2024. These payments primarily affected the selling, general and administrative departments, followed by cost of net revenue and research and development each year.
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While Dell reported a staff count of 97,000 in 2026, the company had 133,000 employees in 2023.
A Dell logo displayed on a smartphone. (Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Silicon Valley workers have grown increasingly concerned about AI-driven disruption as tech companies such as Meta and Oracle have reportedly planned mass layoffs.
Earlier this month, Meta reportedly considered a massive 20% workforce reduction as AI infrastructure spending continues to rise. Oracle has also reportedly weighed cutting tens of thousands of jobs amid soaring AI spending and mounting financial pressures.
Reuters has also linked workforce decline to the demands of competing in the high-growth AI infrastructure sector, pressuring companies to offset expenses.
Seeking Alpha’s transcripts team is responsible for the development of all of our transcript-related projects. We currently publish thousands of quarterly earnings calls per quarter on our site and are continuing to grow and expand our coverage. The purpose of this profile is to allow us to share with our readers new transcript-related developments. Thanks, SA Transcripts Team
Steak ‘n Shake COO Daniel Edwards joins ‘Fox & Friends’ to discuss the company making the switch from frying in vegetable oil to beef tallow.
Steak ‘n Shake is shaking up its “Patriot Milkshake” with a new, chocolate twist.
The milkshake will now be served with a dark chocolate Statue of Liberty, the company announced on Monday.
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“Patriot Milkshake now comes with [a] Statue of Liberty. Yes fans, it’s dark chocolate,” the company wrote in a post on X.
The milkshake, which debuted in December, is still priced at $2.50 and will be for the rest of the year, according to the post. The chain previously announced the shake would be available through January.
Steak ‘n Shake is Located in the Midwest and Southern U.S. (iStock / iStock)
The company announcement included a photo of the milkshake, which features its classic red, white and blue sprinkles, an American flag on a toothpick and a dark chocolate Lady Liberty atop whipped cream.
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The franchise first announced the milkshake in December as an early nod to America’s 250th anniversary, which will be celebrated in July, according to the company.
Steak ‘n Shake announced an update to their “Patriot Milkshake” on Monday. The shake will now be served with a dark chocolate Statue of Liberty. (Steak ‘n Shake via X / Unknown)
Alex Bruesewitz, a political consultant and Trump advisor, also reposted the announcement, heralding the addition.
“[Steak ‘n Shake] continues to prove that they are the best fast food chain in America,” Bruesewitz wrote in the post.
FOX Business previously reported that this promotion came as other fast food chains were taking different approaches to dealing with pricing and mounting cost pressures.
Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. visits a Steak ‘n Shake location last year. (Steak ‘n Shake via X / Unknown)
Some chains, such as Jack in the Box, decided to close locations as part of a “broader turnaround plan.”
Other chains, such as Cava, advised against discounting with their CEO, Brett Schulman, telling FOX Business that “you can’t discount your way to prosperity.”
The company recently made headlines for launching their 100% beef tallow tots, becoming the only restaurant to serve the side dish.
This comes after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to hammer the food industry to provide healthier options for consumers as part of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement.
Steak ‘n Shake did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
India’s Reliance Industries Ltd. aims to file a draft red herring prospectus for the initial public offering of its telecom unit, Jio Platforms Ltd. as early as the end of this month with the December-end financials, according to people familiar with the matter.
The company formally kicked off preparations for the IPO on Tuesday by appointing as many as 17 bankers to handle the issue. Morgan Stanley, HSBC Holdings Plc, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. are among nine global banks selected for advisory roles, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information is private.
Domestic advisers include Kotak Mahindra Capital Co., Axis Capital Ltd., JM Financial Ltd. and SBI Capital Markets Ltd., the people added.
Plans for the IPO have gathered steam after the government approved a change in listing requirements that allowed large issuers to dilute as little as 2.5% of their equity. The IPO could be India’s largest-ever IPO and the first by a major unit of billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s flagship company, Reliance, in almost two decades.
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The proposed offering is expected to comprise largely secondary share sale by existing investors and could take place later this year. Details including the size, structure and timing of the transaction are still being finalized and are subject to change, the people added.
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Representatives for the company and banks didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment outside of business hours.
The incoming boss of BHP says he is committed to Australia but has warned local investment was at risk as other nations cut red tape in pursuit of mining money.
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