He claims he was filling up balloons, which he says popped and possibly caused the fire.
The FDNY will determine the cause of the fire after an investigation.
One person was taken to Nassau County Medical Center. No word yet on their condition.
The fire, which was located below an above ground train station, briefly suspended J train service in both directions between Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer and Crescent Street.
Firefighters extinguished the fire Saturday morning at 9:53 a.m.
Crews are still working on the scene.
The incident happened on 37th Ave and Main Street in Flushing.
FDNY say the fire began in a hair salon just before midnight.
It then started to spread to an adjacent three-story building.
Over 200 crew members were on scene of the seven-alarm fire that took seven-plus hours to put out.
Seven firefighters were taken to an area hospital with injuries, but they are considered non-critical.
Fire marshals will investigate the cause of the fire.