“Our units found heavy fire condition in multiple stores. We originally tried an interior attack and got into a couple of stores but had to transition to an exterior attack due to the volume and body of fire and its extension,” said FDNY Assistant Chief Thomas Currao. “There are multiple ceilings in these stores and occupancies. It takes a lot of time to get to the fire and knock it down.”

 

FDNY added that one civilian was treated on scene for minor smoke inhalation, who they believe is a resident of the building located to the rear of the fire scene. “The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing,” FDNY officials said.

The fire occurred just two days after a building partially collapsed, in the Morris Heights section of The Bronx, where miraculously nobody was killed, according to the latest updates from City officials, as reported.

 

Firefighters had been working well into Monday night and early morning on Tuesday on search and rescue efforts in attempts to find any survivors under the rubble.

 

Meanwhile, all lanes of traffic on West 231st in both directions at Kingsbridge Avenue were closed earlier on Wednesday but have since been reopened in both directions as of 5.33 p.m.

One local resident told Norwood News that a residential building, which also houses a children’s daycare center, located directly behind the row of affected businesses, was evacuated, and added that a school located on Godwin Terrace a few doors beyond the residential building was closed on Wednesday. FDNY later clarified that the building in question had been evacuated temporarily due to smoke but no fire.

 

The 231st Street subway station was closed on early Wednesday morning but the MTA later confirmed that normal 1 train service resumed at the 231st Street Station at 5:19 a.m.

Firefighters said the fire originated in the deli on the corner of West 231st Street and Godwin Terrace and that 44 fire units comprising 200 firefighters and EMS personnel were dispatched in response to the blaze, which they said was brought under control at 7:48 a.m. “Cause and origin is under investigation by fire marshals,” fire officials said.

 

During a press conference held earlier on Wednesday, Currao had said the fire operations would be prolonged due to the stubborn nature of the fire. EMS officials said they had been fortunate in that the one injured person had been treated at the scene and did not require transfer to a hospital.

 

Currao went on to say that battling the fire was difficult because like in similar commercial fire scenarios, there were “multiple ceilings” which had been put up in the stores at different times and this meant it took longer to access the fire and “knock it down.”

 

The chief was asked about reports of possible chemicals stored inside one of the affected businesses. He said that had been where the multiple ceilings were located and where they were still concentrating their efforts and added that he couldn’t comment further as the operations and investigation were still ongoing. “We’ve made remarkable headway in all the rest of the occupancies,” he said.

 

Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero and City Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) visited the fire scene on Wednesday morning and said five businesses have been completely destroyed. Another two businesses appear to have incurred some damage.

Representatives from the councilman’s office later said his office, the office of Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), and that of Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson were actively engaged in providing assistance and support to those affected by the incident, coordinating with various agencies, including the FDNY, NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and with local business owners to address their needs.

 

According to representatives from the councilman’s office, an MTA Bus was on site, providing shelter to approximately 30 to 40 residents from 3508 Godwin Terrace. They said officials for the elected representatives canvassed nearby residential buildings to provide information about the situation and to ensure neighbors were safe. They said all neighbors canvassed were given contact information for the elected officials’ offices, emphasizing that the affected individuals could continue to reach out to them to receive services.

 

“I am deeply saddened by the impact of the fire on our community. Our immediate focus is on supporting those affected and working closely with the relevant agencies to address their needs,” the councilman said. “I want to assure all constituents that my office is here to
provide assistance and support during this challenging time. The safety and well-being of our community are our top priorities.”

 

Meanwhile, the assemblyman said, “In light of today’s tragic fire in Kingsbridge, our hearts are with the impacted businesses. Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, and I, along with our teams, are fully committed to supporting those
affected.” He added, “Working with the FDNY, DOB, and DEP, we stand in solidarity with the entrepreneurs and employees whose livelihoods have been affected. The destruction of several businesses is a significant blow to our local economy.”

 

SEVERAL BUSINESSES WERE destroyed when a fire ripped through an area around West 231st Street between Broadway and Godwin Terrace in Kingsbridge on Wednesday morning, Dec. 13, 2023. Video courtesy of the Citizens’ App.

The assemblyman went on to say, “To the residents temporarily evacuated and seeking refuge on the MTA Bus and our neighbors on Godwin Terrace, your safety is our top priority. We actively engage with the community, providing information and support to ensure everyone feels secure and informed. Our offices remain open, encouraging all affected to reach out for assistance. Together, we will navigate
these challenging times and emerge stronger as a community. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected by this unfortunate incident.”

 

For her part, Gibson, who was already coordinating efforts to help those affected in the aftermath of the partial building collapse in Morris Heights two days earlier on Monday, Dec. 11, said, “This morning’s five-alarm fire in Kingsbridge is devastating as it has resulted in five of our local businesses being adversely affected. We are currently working with our colleagues in government to see how we can best assist and support our West Bronx community after this horrible tragedy.”

 

She added, “I want to thank our first responders, the FDNY, NYPD, DOB and DEP for their swift response and for providing support for those affected by this horrible incident.”