More than 200 firefighters from five departments battled a massive fire at a Bronx supermarket Thursday night. The fire is now under control, authorities said.
Emergency personnel responded to the CTown supermarket on University Ave in Morris Heights around 5:30 p.m., according to the New York Fire Department. Firefighters responded in less than four minutes.
The resilient fire quickly spread throughout the structure, causing a column of black smoke to billow over the city.
“The call came in at 5:30 pm tonight for a smoke odor at 1750 University Avenue. Our members were on the scene in less than four minutes. We have over 50 units here and over 200 firefighters and EMTs in the place,” Fire said. Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said during a press briefing on Thursday. “Obviously there is a property loss in the community tonight, but thanks to the hard work of our members, there was no loss of life tonight. So this is a big fire and a lot of work for our members. But it’s what they do. every day. And they did a phenomenal job.”
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At least four people were injured when a 5-alarm fire engulfed a supermarket in New York on February 9, 2023. (WABC via NNS)
A huge column of smoke rose over a supermarket in the Bronx on February 9, 2023. (FDNY)
FDNY Chief John Hodgens said the fire occurred shortly after the store closed, and shoppers and employees were able to get out safely before the flames escalated to a 5-alarm fire. Emergency personnel were forced to break into the building, as it was locked for the night.
“The store had just closed for the night and the doors were locked. We had to force our way into the store. Our members rushed in and began fighting the fire,” Hodgens said.
The head of the department also pointed out that the flames were mainly in a gap between the roof and the ceiling, usually where the cables are placed.
He added: “The fire eventually got very far along and we were forced to evacuate the building due to the sheer volume of the fire. We quickly got the tower stairs operational and put up hand lines on all exposed buildings. We were able to keep the fire contained only at this building”.
Kavanagh said at least four people suffered minor injuries, including three firefighters and a civilian. They were later transported to an area hospital.
More than 200 firefighters battled a fire at a supermarket in the Bronx. In the end, four people were left with minor injuries. (WABC via NNS)
FDNY Chief John Hodgens said more than 200 firefighters responded to a fire in the Bronx on February 9, 2023. (W.C.B.S.)
The cause of the fire is not immediately clear. It remains under investigation.
This story is developing and will be updated.
