Nov 19, 2008 11:57 pm US/Eastern
3-Alarm Fire Burns Through 6 Bronx Stores
Several Pet Shop Animals Killed In Blaze; Nos. 2 & 5 Subway Lines Temporarily Shut Down
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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A three-alarm fire burns through seven stores, including a pet store, in the Bronx.
CBS
Firefighters tackled a raging inferno in the Bronx on Wednesday night.
Chopper 2 HD was over the scene, as giant plumes of smoke rose from the remains of six stores, including a pet shop.
Firefighters said the blaze began in a dry cleaning shop on Southern Boulevard in the Morrisania section of the borough and quickly spread to five other businesses.
Towering flames shot through the roof top, along the strip of stores off East 167th Street. Smoke could be seen from miles away. The wind fed the blaze and forced firefighters out of the building for an exterior attack.
"There were a number of layers of roofing that the men tried to pulled down but weren't able to," FDNY Assistant Chief Thomas Jensen said. "It was just too much fire and it got too dangerous."
The fire raged for more than three hours, destroying several stores, including the pet shop. Two cats, some lizards and a parrot were rescued, but dozens of other small animals could not be saved.
Also lost was a deli.
"Yeah, I lost everything," the owner told CBS 2 HD.
Workers and store owners could not hold back tears as they watched their livelihoods turn to ash. Roberto Contreres' barber shop was a total loss. His son said the business was his father's American dream come true.
"I feel bad for him because he put a lot of effort in the store and stuff and he basically lost everything," Starling Contreres said.
The Red Cross is helping any displaced families. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but firefighters said it does not appear to be suspicious.
Smoke conditions were so bad, the "2" and "5" trains had to be suspended. Service is now back to normal.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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