{"id":150680,"date":"2026-03-03T05:58:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T05:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/150680\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T05:58:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T05:58:12","slug":"there-was-smoke-and-then-it-was-gone-fire-rips-through-melrose-building-displacing-residents-and-injuring-four-firefighters-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/150680\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018There was smoke, and then it was gone\u2019 Fire rips through Melrose building, displacing residents and injuring four firefighters \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Workers\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Workers remove the charred debris from Fane Grocery after the Saturday morning fire.<\/p>\n

Photo by Marina Samuel<\/p>\n

The New York City Fire Department is currently investigating the cause of a fire that broke out late Saturday morning in Melrose, destroying two businesses and blazing through four stories of residential apartments.<\/p>\n

Flames tore through Fane Grocery, consuming the store and the flower shop in front before burning through four stories of the residential building overhead.\n<\/p>\n

When the Bronx Times arrived on the scene Monday, employees were clearing debris from inside the grocery store, which was charred throughout.
\n\"TheThe fire reached four stories of residential apartments above the Melrose grocery store. Photo by Marina Samuel.\n<\/p>\n

Luis Rivera, who works at the restaurant Franco\u2019s next door, said he was out on a catering delivery when the fire started, but his employees were forced to evacuate as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was quick,\u201d Rivera said. \u201cThere was smoke, and then it was gone.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Rivera said he heard the fire may have originated in the flower shop that was attached to Fane\u2019s Grocery, where a space heater was being used near paper and floral materials.<\/p>\n

The FDNY said it received a call at 11:01 a.m. Saturday reporting a fire in the store. Twenty-one units responded, including 79 fire and EMS personnel. Four firefighters were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. The fire was brought under control by 12:40 p.m.<\/p>\n

The store, also known as Juanito\u2019s Grocery, was featured prominently in the music video<\/a> for \u201cTit\u00ed Me Pregunt\u00f3\u201d by Bad Bunny.<\/p>\n

\"BadBad Bunny appearing outside of Juanito\u2019s Grocery in the 2022 Tit\u00ed Me Pregunt\u00f3 music video.Screenshot from the \u201cTit\u00ed Me Pregunt\u00f3\u201d music video by Bad Bunny, via YouTube.<\/p>\n

News 12 reported that the Red Cross<\/a> was on the scene assisting nine adults and a child who lived in four apartments above the store.<\/p>\n

MELROSE FIRE UPDATE: The fire that forced 10 people out of their homes on Courtlandt Avenue damaged Juanito\u2019s Grocery and a neighboring florist shop.#News12<\/a> #TheBronx<\/a> #MelroseFire<\/a> #CommunityUpdate<\/a> #JuanitosGrocery<\/a> #BadBunny<\/a> #LocalNews<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/YuFgqcMKMy<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Q4cvqEtXY1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 News12BX (@News12BX) March 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Reach Marina Samuel at\u00a0msamuel@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram!<\/a><\/p>\n

\t