Giant five-alarm fire in the Bronx sweeps through 6 New York City businesses
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."
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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.
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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.