FDNY spent a second night putting out a fire and rescuing residents from an apartment building on 9th Avenue. The alarm was raised just before midnight for a blaze in a 5-story apartment building on the corner of W48th and 9th Avenue — just 2 blocks away from a fire the previous evening at W50th and 9th Avenue.
Fire and heavy smoke could be seen billowing into the night sky above Hell’s Kitchen and FDNY responded with 25 units and over 100 firefighters to the incident. Emergency services reported that four firefighters sustained minor injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals. Residents could be seen using the fire escape above Mom’s Kitchen & Bar to exit the building.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Patrick Schmidt from Mom’s Kitchen & Bar told us: “Everyone is ok, thankfully. The fire was in one of the apartments on the fourth floor above us. The restaurant will be closed for at least the afternoon as per the FDNY. We are hoping to re-open later today or tomorrow if they will allow us. Hard to say at this moment. There is not much waste or damage inside other than messes created by the smoke and water. Could have been a lot worse!”
Even after the huge fire above Rancho Tequileria the previous night, the restaurant managed to open for business yesterday.
Late last night, the American Red Cross (based on W49th Street in Hell’s Kitchen) assisted 14 residents (7 households) displaced by a fire on 9th Avenue. Spokesperson Michael de Vulpillieres told us: “This was the second fire in two days in the neighborhood. On the morning of June 16, Red Cross teams helped 6 households (15 people) displaced by a fire on West 50th Street.”
He continued: “Red Cross assistance included temporary housing, emergency financial assistance, relief items, health assistance and emotional support. Our caseworkers will continue working with affected families in the days to come to address outstanding needs and provide referrals for longer-term help.”
Are these being investigated as suspicious?
Weird