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newyork

Natalie Hernandez

Brittany Cadet

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We're going to get to some breaking updates on that fire in University Heights. Let's in. They told me that there was a vehicle that was blocking the fire hydrant from stopping the fire apparatus from slowing down the fire apparatus and connecting to the hydrant because there was a legally parked vehicle there. I'm asking all New Yorkers, please be mindful. Have a little compassion when you think about when you're parking in front of these fire hydrants because look at this 5 alarm fire. That started behind us and we want our fire department to get there quickly hook up to the hydrant and start applying water uh to this to this uh to this fire. So please be mindful. Let's stop parking in front of the fire hydrants because look at what could happen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Good afternoon, everyone. Robert Tucker, the New York City fire commissioner, uh. We were called FDNY was called to a fire in the restaurant behind us. Chief Esposito is going to give you the full details of our fire department operation. However, I want to reiterate what the deputy mayor just said. We are talking about parking on fire hydrants way too much these days, and while we didn't have a fatality here in this fire, a $4000 summons was issued by a criminal court judge to the person who parked. Fire hydrant at a fatal fire here in the Bronx just a few weeks ago. We have issued another one of those summonses today, and we hope that the judge uses their discretion to find the person parking on this fire hydrant like they did in the last instance. However, I appeal to all New Yorkers. Parking on fire hydrants slows our firefighters down from getting water on the fire. If you think that parking on a fire hydrant is a convenience, it's not. It's a recipe for death. We've already seen that twice now, once in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and once in the Bronx. Please, please stop parking on fire hydrants. Those are not parking spaces. I want to commend all the firefighters that fought this 5 alarm fire today. They did an amazing job and Chief Esposito is going to explain the operation. Thank you, commissioner. I'm enjoying it. We'll wait on the train. Hey, good morning. I'm John Esposito. I'm the chief of department. Shortly after 8:21 this morning, we received a report of a fire in a restaurant at 2037 Jerome Avenue. When we arrived at the restaurant on Jerome, we had some fire and smoke in the restaurant. As we were extinguishing the fire, we continued to check the buildings and stores next door. Uh, eventually found fire in that whole row of stores coming up West Burnside. We had a 5th alarm. 44/200 fire and emergency medical service personnel on the scene, and as you can see behind me, we're continuing to fight the fire. At this point we have no injuries, no civilian and no firefighter injuries at this time, and we expect to be out here for most of the day. The cause of the fire will be investigated by our Bureau of Fire, fire marshals who are on the scene. And as the commissioner and deputy mayor have said, uh, the parking on the hydrant, our firefighters are very well trained. We will get water, but it does delay us and it does slow us down. How many What impact it looks like it. So it's about, it's about 6 different businesses that have been severely damaged. It looks like 4 of them coming up West Burnside and 2 of them on Jerome. Uh, can you clarify what restaurant? We don't know. Right, so we don't know exactly where the fire started yet. That will be investigated, but we were in the restaurant on Jerome Avenue and we had fire in there, but we had more fire as we progressively went up Burnside Avenue as we got into those stores. Uh, the, the fire had had significant headway on it. So to get our firefighters in there, right, most of the fire was in that cockloft space. Most of the fire is in the cockwalk, which is the space between the ceiling and the roof. It's because of renovations over the years, many of these buildings have multiple ceilings. It's a very time consuming operation for our firefighters to get in there, pull the ceilings, expose the fire. And our engine companies to get in there and put water in there, and by then the fire has significant headway and then it's a very dangerous operation for our firefighters and our chief officers made the decision to back out of the building that we were not going to be able to get it from the inside. Yeah So we received the alarm at 8:21. In less than 4 minutes we were on the scene. The original call was for 2037 Jerome Avenue. We were in the restaurant fighting the fire on Jerome Avenue. Then we were in the optical store on the corner and progressively made our way up Burnside before the fire got too much headway for us. Oh, the train's not stopping here. So thank you to our partners at the MTA. We had for a time asked them to stop and slow the train, and as you can see, the southbound train is going slow and the northbound train is not affected at this time to talk about why it's great. this type of fire. These are very old buildings. They've been renovated numerous times. Generally there are several ceilings, ceiling levels, and when that fire is above the ceiling and under the roof, it's a space of about 3 to 4 ft deep. It's very difficult and time consuming for our firefighters to open that up to access that so we can get water, put water in there to extinguish the fire. And it's just a wide open space and the fire extends and now we have significant risks for the firefighters of that ceiling collapsing while they're inside. What's the technical term for a cock loft. Thank you. Thank you guys. If you've been listening in here, we have been following the latest as we got an update on the fire and uh the uh commissioner talking there. We're going to get uh take a quick break. We're gonna give you some more updates on what they said. Actually we're going to keep talking. So basically what we heard from the commissioner there apparently, and we heard this from Brittany Cadet who's out there, there was a car blocking the fire hydrant. It's been a problem that's been happening at several different fires, including a deadly one in the Bronx where someone was even issued a $4000 summons. They said they issued the person in today's fire a similar summons. They're hoping the judge, you know, has a. Similar outcome too with that $4000 because they say this really impacts how they fight it. No fatalities, no deaths, no injuries of firefighters or civilians, but a lot of damage. This call came in around 8:21 in the morning. First there was just one restaurant that they were working to put the blaze out in, but then as they started going down the restaurants, it was just a strip of them that were consumed with fire that they were. To put out so it was all along um West Burnside or excuse me, Jerome Avenue and then it was moving up West Burnside Avenue to where those locations were hit. So again, no injuries we've learned they don't know the cause yet, um but they did stress that parking and fire hydrants that really did impact on them being able to fight this. So something that they were, you know, talking about. We're going to bring in storm watch team meteorologist Topa Sabua. I know we've been talking about, you know, how they fight this fire, the winds, the cold weather that they had a battle, you know, while having this. Yeah, and that was an ongoing issue earlier this morning. We experienced some strong winds anywhere between 15 to 20 MPH. Winds will continue to subside as the day goes on.

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We'll kick things off with News 12's Heather Fordham. She has the latest on where the investigation stands right now, Heather. Amanda, this is still a very fluid and active scene here in university. Heights, cleanup crews and investigations underway into what caused this fire this morning. Now the FDNY had a very challenging job today as it took about 5 hours to get this fire under control. Now thankfully nobody was hurt in that blaze, but right now I want to get the video that shows you the magnitude of the situation that they were. You could see bright orange flames raged on top of businesses as clouds of thick gray and black smoke filled the sky above Jerome and West Burnside Avenues. The call came in just before 8:30 this morning as fire ripped through Don Polo restaurant. The FDNY had their hoses on the fire within minutes, but the flames quickly traveled through the ceilings and roofs of neighboring businesses. Now the fire chief says the fire got too much. Headway and crews were ordered to back out of the buildings due to significant risks of the ceiling collapsing while they were inside. Now it was reported to be under control just after 1 o'clock this afternoon, but another delay in their fight a car that was parked in front of a fire hydrant. FDNY commissioner Robert Tucker is now sending out a desperate plea to drivers to think twice before leaving your car in front of a hydrant. I appeal to all New Yorkers. Parking on fire hydrants slows our firefighters down from getting water on the fire. If you think that parking on a fire hydrant is a convenience, it's not. It's a recipe for death. Now the Department of Buildings has teams out here investigating the structural safety of these businesses that were impacted. We know a handful of them completely destroyed in this fire today. I'm going to send things over to my colleague Natalie Hernandez, who spoke to some of those business owners about what they're dealing with. Natalie, what have you learned? Yeah, Heather, it has been just a devastating day here in University Heights for multiple business owners after at least 6 businesses were engulfed in flames, leaving nothing but devastation behind. Take a look at this. This 5 alarm fire absolutely devastating the strip of local businesses. Bright flames, plumes of smoke billowing in the air. Was torn apart. Jessica Bentancourt owns the Bronx Optical here and is president of the local merchants association. I got a call around 8:15 that there was smoke coming from the restaurant next to me. So I rushed over here. By the time I came here they were already breaking the gates. This is the 2nd time tragedy has struck here. 5 years ago, these same businesses were looted during the pandemic. We serviced the community and we got looted before and we picked up and we, we did it again. And we're going to continue doing it again. Now once again, business owners are left to recover, build back. Many have been here for years, pouring everything into their livelihoods, only to watch them go up in flames. Local leaders say this is a tragedy. These are the lifeblood of our section here in the Bronx. This is really a blow to the gut to us, but we're just going to make sure that we do everything possible. To make sure they come back and land on their feet as well as find out what happened here. Jessica tells me she's been in business here for 6 years. She was nearly in tears watching firefighters battle the flames. Despite the devastation, she says she plans to rebuild, staying resilient just like the rest of this community. We have to have hope and we can't lose it. We can't lose the strength that we have for the community. The flames are out now, but it will take some time to see the full destruction that fire left behind. Right now the main focus is making sure that everyone is safe and figuring out what actually caused that fire. That's the latest from University Heights. I'm Natalie Hernandez.

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Want to check back in on that fire in University Heights News 12's Natalie Hernandez. She's been on scene. I know you've been talking to, you know, people in the community there, business owners too. What have you been hearing today? Yeah Chrissy, it's just a devastating scene here. I want you guys to take a look at how these businesses have been impacted. I spoke to the owner of this Bronx optical center. You can see that business is just essentially destroyed. There's water gushing into it and right now we do know that at least 6 businesses were engulfed. are destroyed and just take a look at how this fire just devastated this strip of businesses. We did speak to business owners who say they've been here for years and it's just been heartbreaking for them as that fire broke down their businesses. The owner of Bronx Optical told me that. She's just heartbroken and she was actually almost in tears as she watched the firefighters fight the flames. I want you guys to take a listen to what she had to say about what she saw earlier this morning. There was um smoke coming from the restaurant next to me. So I rushed over here. By the time I came here, they were already breaking the um the um the gates. those business owners do tell me that they do plan to rebuild, but right now it's all about getting that fire under control, and the FDNY members here on scene say that could really just take hours. Christy, I'm going to send it back to you in the studio. That's the latest from University Heights. I'm Natalie Hernandez. All right, Natalie, thank you for those updates. Yes, you feel for those business owners. We're getting the news. Marissa Santarei in the alert center. A lot of people. Talking about this reacting on social media. Yeah, Christy, exactly. It's been a major scene here this morning and many local leaders now weighing in. We have Yel Cata saying my team is on site at the fire on West Bernside Avenue and Jerome Avenue coordinating with relevant agencies obviously to arrange for what's next, those recovery efforts we're going to watch closely here on 12, you know, council member Pina Sanchez and Bronx borough president Vanessa Gibson echoing those same sentiments, but our BP saying here this incident has Impacted several small businesses here in the Bronx, and I do want to note that the Small Business Services Department is actually deploying their emergency services right now, their unit to help those affected business owners. So again, like I just said, the next steps now is looking to recovery efforts as they work to continue to control that blaze, but again help these business owners now dig out from all the rubble. Again, a major scene here this morning. Look at this blaze. This is what firefighters have been working to. blaze now more under control than this seems, but again this was the scene just hours ago as we continue to track those conditions now as you're heading out the door later on today, just be mindful this area like we said is completely blocked off. You want to make sure you avoid the area and expect delays on multiple lines, the 4, the 2, and the 5 trains and just give yourself a little extra time as you head towards the area. Christy, I'll send it back to you. Yeah, that's an area that's going to be busy for a while. Marissa, thank you.

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RTBXJeromeAveFireACEMorillo5pm

I'm gonna send it over to News 12's Eli Murillo who is in our alert center right now with more community reaction. Yeah, Natalie, just an impactful scene there. I know you've been on the ground working the scene for hours. I actually want to bring up a tweet of that scene earlier today. I want the viewers to really take in what destruction Natalie was really describing there because you could barely see the street. You can even not even see the businesses along that busy hub there, and this is also another look. At those bright red flames that you could see there earlier today. What I do want to bring to the attention of some of the commuters is that earlier today the subway did tweet that there were some delays that so the 4 trains will bypass Burnside Avenue in both directions. I believe now that has cleared up, but for commuters in the area, you do want to check that MTA app just in case this destruction. Has caused delays anywhere else. Again earlier today we also heard from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson who said multiple businesses have been impacted. You saw that damage there and this is just the beginning. Now these business owners are left to pick up those pieces. I actually want to show you a tweet here by our news Marissa Sanrelli who shows you a different view on. Just how much work went into putting out these flames? These are firefighters tackling that blaze from a subway station. So again, for those commuters who are out there making their way home, you want to make sure you stay on that MTA app and see if there's any delays. But like I just mentioned, this is just the beginning of these business owners and businesses picking up those pieces, so you want to stick with here on 12 for the latest.

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This marks the second tragedy for these business owners, which were looted during the COVID pandemic five years ago.

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Massive fire destroys at least 6 businesses in University Heights

This marks the second tragedy for these business owners, which were looted during the COVID pandemic five years ago.

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