A four-alarm fire tore through a row of small businesses in the Bronx late Thursday night, leaving owners picking through the wreckage of their livelihoods.
The blaze broke out just before midnight along East Gun Hill Road between Pearsall and Throop avenues in the Allerton neighborhood. More than 200 firefighters responded and battled the flames for roughly two and a half hours before bringing the fire under control.
What You Need To Know
A four-alarm fire broke out just before midnight Thursday on East Gun Hill Road in the Allerton section of the Bronx
More than 200 firefighters battled the blaze for over two hours before it was brought under control
Eleven businesses were affected, including a hair salon that opened three years ago after the owner worked for years to start it
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, and two drivers were issued summonses for parking at hydrants
Among those impacted was Neisha Michilin, owner of Neisha Stylist, a hair salon she opened three years ago after years of working toward the dream.
The immigrant from Jamaica said she spent much of her life trying to open the business.
“I worked hard to open this business right after COVID,” Michilin said while fighting back tears. “I just hope I can really rebuild. You know my workers, my employees to all come back as one family.”
The FDNY said the fire started in the cockloft of one of the buildings. A cockloft is the space between the ceiling of the top floor and the roof decking and is common in older, single-story buildings.
Because of the location, the department used specialized nozzles designed to reach into tight areas, according to the FDNY.
Fahal Hassan, owner of Mal Deli and Grocery, believes the fire may have started in a nearby church.
“The fire in the church place there, the fire coming from over there and we see a lot of smoke, and they started knocking everything,” he said, describing the scene.
In total, 11 businesses were affected either by the fire itself or by water and damage caused during firefighting operations.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals. Officials said they are expected to recover.
For workers like Joy Sweeney, the destruction leaves uncertainty about what comes next.
“It crushed me to be honest because with what’s going right now, with the country, with times being hard on some people, well in general, it is just sad,” she said.
The FDNY also said two vehicles were illegally parked at fire hydrants when crews arrived at the scene. Those drivers were issued criminal summonses.
Officials are reminding drivers that blocking fire hydrants is illegal and can slow emergency response during fires.