Early-morning Kingsbridge fire destroys five businesses

I know it sounds stupid, but when we watched the TV and we saw those stores burning, it took our breath away. It actually hurt our hearts to see it.”

PAM LOESER HALPERN, former tenant

Property managers for the five Kingsbridge businesses that were destroyed in an early-morning fire on Dec. 13 say they are awaiting news from the fire department on the cause. That will determine how they will proceed.

The fire apparently began at a deli then spread to four other businesses, destroying them and leaving them closed indefinitely. It also left one person injured.

The department received a 911 call at 3:30 a.m., reporting a fire at 228 W. 231st St. When firefighters arrived, a number of stores in a one-story commercial building were on fire. One person suffered a minor injury and was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation. The fire was brought under control by 7:48 a.m.

The five businesses that were destroyed by the flames were the Cold Cut City Bunny Deli, where the fire started; New Riverdale Nail & Hair Center; New Sea Win Seafood Market; El Novillo Meat Market and 231st Street Cleaners. Several other businesses also received water damage as a result of the fire, including flooding.

At a news conference outside the businesses hours after the fire, FDNY assistant chief Tom Currao said that firefighters initially tried to battle the blaze from inside the building, but due to the intensity of the fire, they had to fight it from outside.

Fire Engine and Ladder 52 were operating under a five-alarm fire scenario, with 44 units and 200 firefighter and EMS personnel.

A firefighter at the scene the day of the fire told The Riverdale Press he suspected the cause to be electrical given the old age of the building. He did emphasize they weren’t sure yet.

Stewart and Kristen Hackett, property managers for the building where the fire occurred and principals of Robert E. Hill Inc. are waiting for a cause of the fire before proceeding with demolition.

“My mother’s family has owned the building for four generations, going back to my great grandfather,” Kristen said to The Press. “This devastating fire last week is not only a financial loss, but a tremendous emotional loss to us and for our wonderful tenants and for the community.”

Several elected officials visited the scene the day of the fire, including Councilman Eric Dinowitz, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Bronx borough president Vanessa Gibson.

“Early this morning, our community suffered a horrific tragedy as a fire destroyed five of our small, local businesses on 231st Street,” they said in a joint statement. “When we heard about the fire, we rushed to the scene to ensure that everyone was safe and that our neighbors were getting the support they needed from us and our city agencies. We are grateful that everyone is safe, and want to assure you that we are here to support you in any way we can.”

The officials encouraged those directly impacted by the fire to reach out to their offices. Both Jeffrey and Eric Dinowitz have Kingsbridge offices that are only blocks away from the affected businesses.

“I am deeply saddened by the impact of the fire on our community,” the councilman said in a separate statement. “Our immediate focus is on supporting those affected and working closely with the relevant agencies to address their needs. 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.”

State Sen. Robert Jackson, whose district includes Kingsbridge, sent a statement to The Press. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,” Jackson said. “And I was saddened to learn about the five businesses … that were impacted by a fire that broke out. Together, we look forward to witnessing their remarkable resurgence, as they embody the enduring spirit of our neighborhood, rising like a phoenix, stronger than ever.”

One merchant, Kenny Lim, of 231st Street Cleaners, described learning about the fire from an employee at 5 a.m. By the time he arrived an hour later, there was nothing but smoke.

“My store’s (been here) since 1952 — I’m here for 15 years,” Lim said. “It’s gone, my store.”

Lim said he had heard that there was a party at Bunny Deli the night of the fire. According to WABC-TV, one witness claimed that there had been a party with live musicians at the deli Tuesday night.

A wound reopened

Before El Novillo Meat Market there was Loeser’s Kosher Deli, a family establishment with more than 60 years of history. In 2019, the city building department ordered Consolidated Edison to cut gas to the business due to an antiquated gas setup delivery system, according to past reports. Ultimately, Loeser’s was forced to shut down for good because of a non-functioning hot water tank.

As it happened, a complaint about illegal gas piping at Bunny Deli was said to have led city inspectors to the problems at the neighboring Loeser’s. The city’s buildings department received a 311 complaint in November 2019 about Bunny Deli.

Bunny Deli was issued four violations for gas piping found in the basement that had been installed without permits or inspections, officials said. And because Loeser’s shared the West 231st Street address, inspectors paid an unannounced visit to that eatery as well.

“We closed the deli because repiping the entire deli accurately and safely would have been monetarily impossible,” said Pam Loeser Halpern, who worked at and managed Loeser’s and is the daughter of the former owner, Fredy Loeser.

Loeser Halpern explained to The Press that redoing the gas lines and pipes at Loeser’s would have included the stove, fryers, coffee machines and boilers, all of which were fueled by gas.

The work would have cost at least $100,000, which the Loeser family could not afford. Fredy Loeser, who was known as the “King of Kingsbridge Knish” made the difficult decision to shut down, prioritizing the safety of the community over what he used to describe as his “fifth child.”

The news of the fire at West 231st Street and Broadway was hard for the family to hear, and left the senior Loeser, his daughter said, feeling like he was losing a “best friend” for the second time.

“I know it sounds stupid, but when we watched the TV and we saw those stores burning, it took our breath away,” Loeser Halpern said. “It actually hurt our hearts to see it.”