Wiped Out! Six Shops Destroyed in West Burnside Blaze

AGAIN - Driver Parks in Front of Hydrant, Slows Down Firefighters

Firefighters battle a 5-alarm fire that broke out in a row of stores along Jerome Avenue and West Burnside Avenue on March 13. -Photo by David Greene

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

March 15, 2025

BRONX - At least six shops along a row of stores at West Burnside Avenue and Jerome Avenue in Morris Heights were destroyed as other shops on the block suffered smoke and or water damage. Fire officials say no injuries were reported and fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the blaze.

During a press conference at the fire scene, Kaz Daughtry, the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, told reporters that firefighters were delayed, as for the third time in recent weeks, by a car that was parked at the closest fire hydrant to the fire.

Daughtry told reporters, “When I was receiving a briefing from the leadership team from the fire department behind me, they told me that there was a vehicle blocking the fire hydrant from stopping the fire apparatus and slowing down the fire apparatus from connecting to that hydrant because there was an illegally parked vehicle there.”

FDNY Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker added, “We are talking about parking on fire hydrants way too much these days and while we didn’t have a fatality here in this fire, a $4,000 summons was issued by a criminal court judge to the person who parked on a fire hydrant in a fatal fire here in the Bronx just a few weeks ago.”

Tucker added that a similar summons was issued to the driver involved in this latest incident.

Tucker added, “I appeal to all New Yorkers, parking on fire hydrants slows our firefighters down from getting water on the fire. If you think that parking on a fire hydrant is a convenience, it’s not, it’s a recipe for death.” He concluded, “Please stop parking on fire hydrants, those are not parking spaces.”

A hookah shop at the opposite corner of West Burnside Avenue and Davidson Avenue suffered water damage from the 5 alarm blaze as seen in this photo taken on March 14. -Photo by David Greene

After the fire, Borough President Vanessa Gibson issued a statement that read in part, “Earlier today, a devastating fire broke out near Jerome Avenue and West Burnside Avenue, impacting at least six businesses and causing significant damage. While this situation is still unfolding. I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to the brave firefighters and emergency personnel who responded quickly and worked tirelessly to contain the fire.”

The following day Senator Gustavo Rivera issued a statement that read in part, “I understand that the Department of Buildings has confirmed that full demolition will be required for the six impacted businesses. Due to the risk of collapse, the FDNY has been unable to safely enter the site to complete its investigation. The cause of the fire will likely be determined during the demolition process.”