Current:Home > reviewsGiant five-alarm fire in the Bronx sweeps through 6 New York City businesses -ValueCore
Giant five-alarm fire in the Bronx sweeps through 6 New York City businesses
View
Date:2025-04-13 03:54:49
At least one person has been injured after a colossal commercial fire broke out in New York City early Wednesday at a deli and spread to nearly a half-dozen businesses in the Bronx, officials said.
The New York City Fire Department responded to the five-alarm blaze just after 3:30 a.m. at the Bunny deli reported along West 231st Street, Tom Currao, NYPD deputy fire chief said.
The stretch of West 231st Street in the Kingsbridge neighborhood is a main corridor for many Dominican and Mexican businesses in the working-class neighborhood. Spanish is commonly spoken, including at Bunny, a deli that served Mexican and American fare just steps from bus lines and the 1 train, which runs from the Bronx to lower Manhattan to take residents to and from work.
The area is historically Irish and, around St. Patrick’s Day, still has several green shamrocks painted at intersections. Irish pubs are still seen in the neighborhood, next to Dominican and Mexican restaurants. During the holidays, Christmas lights are strung over West 231st Street.
Around the corner from the deli, the area has several major retail businesses including Walgreens, Aldi and Best Buy that help make the area a shopping hub.
"The fire is under investigation right now, we don't have an determined cause," Currao said during a press conference at the scene of the Bronx fire." It will be a prolonged operation."
Tragic Tennessee tornadoes:A Florida woman, a 10-year-old boy and a mother of 2 are among tornado victims
How the Bronx deli fire started
Currao said the fire started at a one-story deli and the blaze spread to five other businesses causing "heavy fire damage."
A fire spokesperson told USA TODAY 44 units, including 200 fire and EMS personnel, responded to the scene.
The exact origin of the fire was not immediately known.
As of 7:45 a.m. local time, crews remained on scene battling the fire.
"The reason a lot of these are so difficult is there are multiple ceilings in a lot of these stores... and it takes extra time to get at the fire and knock it down," Currao said.
A civilian, the spokesperson said, was being treated for a minor injury.
"I am at the scene of the devastating fire in Kingsbridge," New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz posted on X. "Five businesses completely destroyed. Everyone is safe. On the ground supporting our small businesses."
Dinowitz, who represents the Northwest Bronx, wrote he was accompanied by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and Bronx Borough Deputy President Janet Altagracía.
'I'm not OK':Over 140 people displaced after building partially collapses in the Bronx
Bronx deli fire comes 36 hours after building collapse
The Kingsbridge neighborhood where the deli fire broke out is about 2 miles from a Bronx building that collapsed on Monday in the Morris Heights neighborhood. The Morris Heights collapse has prompted alarm about older infrastructure in New York City. In the collapsed building, several residents had reportedly complained about repairs, particularly of the facade.
More than 140 people were displaced in the Morris Heights collapse.
No one was seriously injured or killed in the collapse of a century-old, seven story apartment building. The building crumpled about 3:30 p.m. Monday.
As of Tuesday, the Red Cross had registered 141 people – 37 households – for assistance, including meals and emergency housing. Among those displaced were 31 children.
Contributing: Christopher Cann
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Monthly mortgage payment up nearly 20% from last year. Why are prices rising?
- Italian mob suspect on the run for 11 years captured after being spotted celebrating soccer team's win
- Lawsuits filed by Airbnb and 3 hosts over NYC’s short-term rental rules dismissed by judge
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Ohio votes against Issue 1 in special election. Here's what that could mean for abortion rights.
- Pioneering study links testicular cancer among military personnel to ‘forever chemicals’
- Nagasaki marks 78th anniversary of atomic bombing with mayor urging world to abolish nuclear weapons
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- The UN announces that a deal has been reached with Syria to reopen border crossing from Turkey
Ranking
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- How a trial in Texas changed the story of abortion rights in America
- How a trial in Texas changed the story of abortion rights in America
- 'Passages' captures intimacy up-close — and the result is messy and mesmerizing
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Massachusetts governor declares state of emergency amid influx of migrants seeking shelter
- 65-year-old woman hospitalized after apparent shark bite at New York City's Rockaway Beach
- Aaron Carter's Twin Sister Angel Reflects on His Battle With Addiction Before His Tragic Death
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Teen sisters have been missing from Michigan since June. The FBI is joining the search.
New England hit with heavy rain and wind, bringing floods and even a tornado
Cousin of Uvalde gunman arrested over making school shooting threat, court records say
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Lapchick lauds NBA’s hiring practices, initiatives in annual TIDES diversity report
5 white nationalists sue Seattle man for allegedly leaking their identities
The Visual Effects workers behind Marvel's movie magic vote to unionize