5 Valley Stream businesses damaged in fire
Fire officials say everyone, including the tenants who live upstairs, got out safely.
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Five businesses were affected by a fire in Valley Stream on Rockaway Avenue Sunday evening.
Fire officials say the fire started in the Mr. D Cut Barber Shop, where flames and smoke spread to the Anaiz Hair & Beauty hair salon and Via Cuma pizzeria, which faced major smoke damage. Other businesses faced damage as well.
Fire officials say everyone, including the tenants who live upstairs, got out safely.
“I'm so numb that I don't know what to feel right now,” said Jesenia Garcia, wife of the barber shop owner. “I have no words right now.”
Fire officials got the call just before 5:30 p.m. 100 firefighters from at least eight different departments showed up to help fight the flames. They put it out in about 45 minutes, but the damage was already done.
“Everything was just blown up in flames really, really bad,” Garcia said. “It's very, very devastating because we've been here for a very, very long time. This was our home. This was everything to us. And I didn't expect the severity of how bad things would be.”
Garcia says fire officials told her the fire started in a back office of their barber shop. She says they believe it was an electrical fire.
Their business has been in the area for over 15 years, and loyal customers stopped by to show their support.
“Heartbreaking,” said Luis Jimenez. “All my boys work over here. They’re hard working. All of a sudden, we got the call and the whole neighborhood just moved to see what's happening. I feel bad for them.”
Fire officials say there were no smoke detectors in the building.
Two civilians and one fire chief were treated for smoke inhalation, but there were no other injuries.
The businesses and apartments were boarded up Sunday night to protect them.
