QUEENS, N.Y. - Residents and elected officials rallied with fire unions in Queens on Wednesday, calling for the reinstatement of Engine Company 261.

Proponents say it's needed now more than ever because of the growth in population and businesses in Long Island City, and an Amazon headquarters on the way.

The building itself is still there as the home to Ladder Company 116.

In a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney claims the Ladder Company does not have the resources to adequately respond to fires right now.

"Lives are in danger. We urge Mayor de Blasio and elected officials across the city to stand with us and bring back Engine 261," said Gerard Fitzgerald of the Uniformed Fire Officers (UFOA).

"We have to open up 261. We have to open it up today. It's not that hard. The firehouse is right here. All we have to do is put an engine in there," added Jake Lemonda of the UFOA.

"The firehouses that were put here, were put here when this was an industrial neighborhood. It is now a neighborhood of high-rise buildings. You hope and pray they were all done the right way," said State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

The engine company closed 15 years ago due to budget cuts during the Bloomberg administration.