March 13, 2025
Blaze Breaks Out in Morris Heights, Leaving Businesses in Ruins
A devastating fire engulfed multiple businesses in the Morris Heights neighborhood of the Bronx on Thursday morning, reducing six establishments to rubble. The five-alarm blaze erupted around 8:20 a.m. at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and West Burnside Avenue, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky and forcing a large emergency response from the FDNY.
While no injuries were reported, the inferno left a trail of destruction, devastating local businesses that had served the community for years.
Illegally Parked Car Delays Firefighters
As firefighters rushed to battle the raging flames, their response was significantly delayed due to an illegally parked vehicle blocking a fire hydrant. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry emphasized the impact of the obstruction, stating that it hampered efforts to connect hoses and access water immediately.
“There was a vehicle blocking a fire hydrant, slowing down the fire apparatus’ ability to connect to the hydrant,” Daughtry said. “We’re asking all New Yorkers to please be mindful. Have a little compassion when parking by fire hydrants.”
Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker confirmed that the driver received a misdemeanor summons for the violation. Tucker also referenced a similar incident in February, where an illegally parked car outside a Bronx Buddhist temple obstructed firefighters responding to a deadly blaze, resulting in two fatalities. In that case, the driver, Quinaysa Arnold, was ultimately fined $4,000.
“We are talking about parking by fire hydrants way too much these days,” Tucker stated. “If you think parking by a fire hydrant is a convenience, it’s not. It’s a recipe for death. We’ve already seen that twice now.”
Businesses Destroyed, Owners Devastated
The fire started inside a restaurant along Jerome Avenue and quickly spread to neighboring businesses, including a deli, a pharmacy, an optical store, and a clothing shop. The tightly packed buildings, combined with aging infrastructure, allowed the fire to move rapidly through the cockloft, the space between the roof and ceiling.
FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito explained the challenges firefighters faced in containing the flames.
“The fire had significant headway on us,” Esposito said. “Most of the fire was in the cockloft space. These are very old buildings that have been renovated numerous times, so there are several ceiling levels that are 3 to 4 feet deep. It’s very time-consuming to open that up and put water in there to extinguish the fire.”
At one point, the fire became so intense that firefighters were forced to evacuate the buildings and battle the blaze from the outside. More than 200 firefighters and emergency personnel worked for hours to bring the situation under control, but not before at least one ceiling collapsed due to the intense heat.
For local business owners, the devastation is overwhelming. Jessica Betancourt, who owned an optical center destroyed in the fire, said she is determined to rebuild but is heartbroken over the loss.
“I’ve been here for years, serving this community, and now everything is gone,” Betancourt said. “We just have to find a way to start over.”
Another affected business, Finest Deli, had been operating for seven years before being completely destroyed