SubscriptionHow to Comment Get News Updates RSS RSS Feed
Community October 5, 2007
Search Archives

Fire Blocks Off Southern End Of Beach 116 Street
Ironworkers Set Rubbish Fire, Officials Say
By Howard Schwach

Fire apparatus blocks the southern end of Beach 116 Street on Monday afternoon, due to a smoky fire at the former home of Dragon's Den Florists.
Ironworkers doing a renovation of the former home of Dragon's Den Florists on Beach 116 Street inadvertently started a rubbish fire that brought several fire units and blocked off the southern end of the busy shopping street for more than a half-hour on Monday afternoon.

Fire department sources say that the first call for a heavy smoke condition at 169 Beach 116 Street came into the 911 system at 12:12 p.m. on October 1.

The first units on the scene, Engine 238 and Ladder 137, whose quarters are right down the street from the fire, took only two minutes to respond.

When firefighters arrived, smoke was pouring from the abandoned three-story building that once housed one of the busiest florist shops on the peninsula, and three ironworkers had just fled the fire.

The fire department sources told The Wave that a worker, using an acetylene torch to "sweat pipes," had started the large pile of construction rubbish on fire.

Firefighters ready a ladder to get to the second-floor apartments above the florist shop.
The fire was declared under control at 12:31 p.m.
Fire officials speak with the foreman of the crew from Frinchese Iron Works in Ozone Park. A worker with an acetylene torch allegedly started a rubbish pile on fire.

Reader Comments
No comments have been posted. Be the first!


Other Stories With Comments:
ArticleComments
Wave Associate Editor Announces His Departure 5
From the Editor's Desk 5
Arverne Teen Dies In Fiery Stolen Car Crash 3
Issued Parking Ticket While At Beach 116 St. Muni-Meter3
West End Teens Mugged On Train At Knifepoint3
Transportation Is The Key To Revitalization Effort3
City Wants Affordable Homes In Arverne East3
Neponsit and Belle Harbor Residents, We Live Here Too!! 2
Another Police Execution 2
Bungalow Movie Screening Brings Hundreds To NY Museum 2