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News 12 Staff

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The path to rebuilding is now underway after a massive fire destroyed multiple businesses in University Heights, and News 12's Natalie Hernandez has more on what is next for those business owners and the community that they serve, Natalie. Amanda, everyone walking in this area is simply stopping in their tracks and really taking in the devastation that massive fire left behind yesterday. I'm gonna take a step to the side so you can really see what it looks like now. We do know. That fire tore through at least 6 storefronts, which we have learned will be completely demolished. The Department of Buildings also tells us there is a full vacate order for 8 buildings here in this area. Business owners have been left heartbroken. This time around is even more devastating because the building is getting demolished and we don't know what the next step will be. I don't want to leave. I want to stay. I want to rebuild at my location. This nightmare all started yesterday morning around 8:20. Thick smoke filled the streets as firefighters spent more than 5 hours battling the flames. Thankfully no one was hurt, but the impact of the fire is set to be long lasting. Business owners trying to get what's left from their stores for shoppers like Mary, they'll be losing several businesses they're used to relying on. It's definitely going to take a hurt to the community because they definitely depend on it for as far as the restaurants, good food service. It brings people together. You know, things like this go away it just definitely brings out for the crime rate to go up. Local leaders say it could take months or years to recover, but they plan to show up and help as much as they can, holding community meetings to focus on the next steps. I am working together with our assembly member, other members of government to start a fundraiser for the affected businesses because we need them back. They're the lifeblood of this commercial corridor. The FDNY still has yet to determine what sparked the fire, and when we do have that information, we will let you know. It is just a sad scene here for those business owners, but they do promise to rebuild and come back even stronger from University Heights, Natalie Hernandez, 12, the Bronx.

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We continue to follow breaking news this morning. Businesses in university heights are starting a daunting recovery process after this massive fire ripped through buildings on Jerome and Burnside Avenues nearly 24 hours ago. That's where we find News 12's Brittany Cadett back at the scene this morning with the latest developments. Brittany, good morning. Yeah, Marissa, good morning. You know it's a very calm scene. Then it was about 24 hours ago here on Burnside and Jerome Avenue. I'm going to give you a look behind me of what is standing here in place of these businesses actually in front of these businesses. So behind these businesses are, I mean behind these green walls are just. Destroyed businesses that once stood and this is where normally these Bronxites and neighbors would be coming to get their morning coffee or breakfast at the deli or a restaurant, and now they're no longer here. But yesterday morning smoke billowed through these streets while firefighters worked for. For 5 hours to get the 5 alarm fire under control. It all started at around 8:20 in the morning as people were headed to school and to work. Now the owner of the deli right here on the strip spoke to us yesterday about the devastation that he saw and how quickly things took a turn for the worst. The smoke start, we smell the smoke, and then I ran outside to the. The stores, I go down to the basement, there is no fire in our store. I went to the restaurant there and they have a lot of smoke and there, you know, when we come back, the fire department is here, they start breaking the gates and the fire gets. More and more. As of right now, the FDNY has confirmed that not a single person was injured or hurt in this fire, and you know, residents that I spoke to yesterday say that they think this is a miracle that no one was hurt as a result of that fire. But also right now firefighters say that they are still investigating what the cause of that fire was and where exactly it started. That's the very latest here from University Heights. I'm Brittany Cadets. The Bronx. Courtney, thank you for those latest updates. And while battling the blaze, firefighters were met with a hazard they've repeatedly warned New Yorkers about this right here a blocked hydrant. Hu crews were forced to maneuver around the parked car to access the water, according to fire officials, a summons was issued to the car owner. Thankfully no one was hurt in this fire, but remember, never park in front of a hydrant because blocking it is illegal.

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News 12’s Natalie Hernandez was there with the latest.

University Heights fire latest: ‘A major loss.’ Cleanup efforts continue at destroyed storefronts

News 12’s Natalie Hernandez was there with the latest.

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