Fire on 84th and 37th

[BothosShank]

We are in the building directly behind but luckily we have a driveway separating us - the building to the right of us was not that lucky but I think the flames didn't touch it.  I hope everyone got out OK!  What is worrying me now is that the store fronts from 86th to 84th on the north side of 37th Avenue will be vacant.  The rent hikes and now the fire.... What is going to happen to our beloved neighborhood.  Is this the 1970's all over again?  What if some developer wants to come in and build taller buildings.  I know we are in the historic distric but their are clauses that could make it happen.  I feel devasted - my beloved JH!

[IV1PSM]

cavalier is on the next block--85th street-on the same side of the street though

[TooFrank]

So strange. This is less than a block from me, and I found out about it on twitter...

I hope everyone's okay.

[jeanette]

Can anyone name what stores/services we just lost?

People lost jobs, biz owners may have lost everything.

And yes, it's devastating for the landscape. I'll be angry if it was caused by carelessness or negligence.

No apartments were above these stores??

[IV1PSM]

ny1 reporting now - states that the fire has been going on for 2 hours now.  reporter states that you can see it from the LIE once you come out of the the midtown tunnel over in LIC.  he adds that the fire departments seem to be focusing their efforts with the frame and furniture shops.  I also can see it from 30th ave.

[carrefour_ny]

No, the Cavalier was a block up (b/n 85th and 86th), the fire is b/n 84th and 85th. It seemed to me that the whole row is gone (or at least from Willo the barber shop to the liquor store to the art store when I was leaving), which begs the question of what is going to happen with that lot now.  

[madalyn]

Colony Liquors
Shoemaker
Lalita's Party Store
Furniture Store
Dry Cleaning Store
Quality Fabrics
Kelly's Stationery Store

[IV1PSM]

7online reports:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7275726

Eyewitness News is told MTA buses have been dispatched for temporary sheltering.

More than 180 firefighters are reportedly on the scene.

There are no known injuries at this time.

As per traffic, 37th Avenue from 82nd St to 85th St is closed to vehicular traffic.

84th St from 35th Ave to Roosevelt Avenue is also closed to vehicular traffic.

The Q33 bus line has been re-routed around the fire scene.

[carrefour_ny]

Can anyone name what stores/services we just lost?

People lost jobs, biz owners may have lost everything.

And yes, it's devastating for the landscape. I'll be angry if it was caused by carelessness or negligence.

No apartments were above these stores??

No, no apt above the stores. I'm looking on google streetview right now and here are the stores: the liquor store, right next to it was Lalita's, then the shoe repair store, then Acme furniture, then Kelly dry cleaners, then a fabric store, then the art gallery. When I was leaving, I don't think the salon, the lottery ticket / newspaper place, and Kelly's shipping were affected but I can't be sure.

[madalyn]

Also - on the 84th St. side:

Total Relax salon
Willo Barber
La Peluqueria
718 Realty

I'm worried because I know there are some kind of businesses in the basement of the above-mentioned stores.  I hope, if anyone was there, that they had time to get out.

[Marlene]

We are in the building directly behind but luckily we have a driveway separating us - the building to the right of us was not that lucky but I think the flames didn't touch it.  I hope everyone got out OK!  What is worrying me now is that the store fronts from 86th to 84th on the north side of 37th Avenue will be vacant.  The rent hikes and now the fire.... What is going to happen to our beloved neighborhood.  Is this the 1970's all over again?  What if some developer wants to come in and build taller buildings.  I know we are in the historic distric but their are clauses that could make it happen.  I feel devasted - my beloved JH!

I am sure that arson will be part of the investigative process.  Still praying!

Best,   :smiley6600:

[Lesley547]

I heard from some onlookers that a developer had wanted to tear down the buildings and build something else there, don't know the details but it does raise the question of whether this fire was deliberately started. There have been no reports yet of any suspicious origins but will be interesting to follow this story after the fire is brought under control and the NYFD has a change to search through the rubble. Might be hard to investigate with all the inflammables on premises: liquor bottles, dry cleaning solvents, beauty supplies.
 
L

[carrefour_ny]

We are in the building directly behind but luckily we have a driveway separating us - the building to the right of us was not that lucky but I think the flames didn't touch it.  I hope everyone got out OK!  What is worrying me now is that the store fronts from 86th to 84th on the north side of 37th Avenue will be vacant.  The rent hikes and now the fire.... What is going to happen to our beloved neighborhood.  Is this the 1970's all over again?  What if some developer wants to come in and build taller buildings.  I know we are in the historic distric but their are clauses that could make it happen.  I feel devasted - my beloved JH!

I'm with you BothosShank. The protections we are afforded by the LPC allow at times for liberal interpretation since they require that the feel of the nabe not be affected. Yet, the plans for the lot on 81st and Roosevelt include a 7-story residential bldg that will be HUGE and I seriously doubt the aesthetics of it will be up to par with the rest of JH. "Feel" can be elusive...

[Marlene]

"I heard from some onlookers that a developer had wanted to tear down the buildings and build something else there, don't know the details but it does raise the question of whether this fire was deliberately started. There have been no reports yet of any suspicious origins but will be interesting to follow this story after the fire is brought under control and the NYFD has a change to search through the rubble. Might be hard to investigate with all the inflammables on premises: liquor bottles, dry cleaning solvents, beauty supplies.
 
L"

As a community, we may be able to approach our politicos and ask for a separate inquiry.

Best,  :smiley6600:

[carrefour_ny]

Could you pls post when the whole thing is over. I know it's probably gonna be a while...

Thanks.