Fire breaks out at Bruson Building

[lalochezia]

http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140421/jackson-heights/massive-fire-erupts-jackson-heights

I can't imagine with the volume of water that has been  continually pumped into those spaces (545pm -> 1115pm and later) that ANY of the businesses on the 1st floor survived. I hope thye had insurance; I would Imagine the building has to be torn down or at least  entirely stripped to frame.

Sad.

[EricaS]

My husband and I just walked down to take a peek at the damage. We were viewing from 37 and 74. Looks like the fire tore through floors 3 & 4 completely, and partially though floor 2; blinds in the windows on floor 2 at the west corner of the building were intact. However, it did appear that the ceiling of the bodega on the corner of 74 had collapsed - probably due to water damage. And there were still 5 ladders blasting water about an hour ago. So I don't think it's looking to good for the restaurants on the first floor, sadly. Hopefully they can guy it out and rebuild quickly, but certainly lots of work to be done.

[lindsey]

Perhaps it's just because I've never been so close to a major fire before, but I was amazed by the quantity of smoke it produced. Hours after the fire was extinguished, the smoke just seemed to get thicker and more noxious. The cops directing traffic on 35th Ave. and 75th St. had to use flashlights so motorists could see them. We live a block from the Bruson Building and finally had to decamp for a motel-- with two little kids, I was worried they were going to start having trouble breathing. I'm so glad nobody was injured in the fire, but the smoke must be harmful for people nearby, especially those with asthma.

[Chingwa]

well there's still smoke because there is still fire (12am).  seems like all outward signs of fire are gone, but they're still spraying the building.  I think it's taking its time burning up as much inside as possible.

[divanatrix]

Odd how it happened after Plaza College decided to move elsewhere... 

I got out of the subway, I guess shortly after it started. Looked down 75th and all I saw was flames. It took awhile to figure out where they were coming from. The fire was terrifying and I feel badly that it was still being worked on after midnight. Glad no classes were going on when it happened but it definitely seems suspicious.

[Superclam]

http://gothamist.com/2014/04/22/photos_video_firefighters_battle_5-.php#photo-1

Apparently it's under control, but still burning.

[Lilybell]

That was some fire!  I was being my usual oblivious self on my walk home at 6pm until I happened to look up and saw flames shooting out of the building and fire trucks everywhere. 
Did anyone else nearby notice the incredibly loud helicopter?  It seemed like it was there for hours - at first I thought it was a news chopper but I guess it was a police helicopter since it was there for so long and flying so low. 
Oh, and my cable and internet went out from it as well. 
I'm glad no one was seriously injured.

[rosie]

When I walked towards the subway this morning at around 8:30, I was amazed to see that there were still two hoses spraying water on the building. From the various news articles I've seen online, it sounds like there are some stubborn hot spots they're still trying to get under control (or at least were this morning- hopefully it's better now).
Lucky nobody was seriously hurt...

[gsmayes]

My cable and internet went out as well. It was crazy how many peole were packed in the street watching.

[Chingwa]

seems like the fires are all finally out.  water hoses have stopped and looks like internal investigation is underway.

[Beech Court]

I'm not pointing a finger but it "smells" like arson. I guess the question then is who had the best motive?

I also hear there is structural damage to the rear wall.

Look what happened the last time there was a commercial space on fire on the avenue.
And unlike that place this block is outside the Historic District.

[divanatrix]

Look what happened the last time there was a commercial space on fire on the avenue.
And unlike that place this block is outside the Historic District.

Exactly.

[wooden_soldier]

Can someone fill me in on what happened with the last fire?

[Shelby2]

Can someone fill me in on what happened with the last fire?

Here is one old thread on the fire.  There may be others about the building once it began to be re-built.  http://www.jacksonheightslife.com/community/index.php?topic=4143.0

[Breezie]

http://streeteasy.com/building/74_09-37-avenue-queens

I wonder who they are?