New York City police and fire officials are investigating a blaze that tore through a row of businesses in the Bronx as a possible arson attack, leaving a 33-year-old store worker with severe burns and damaging several neighboring businesses.
The fire erupted shortly after 10:10 p.m. Tuesday at 4 West 183rd Street, near Jerome and Davidson avenues in the Fordham area of the Bronx. Firefighters responded to the scene as flames spread rapidly through the commercial strip and brought the blaze under control a little more than an hour later.
According to authorities, the 33-year-old man working inside one of the businesses suffered severe burns to his face and body. Another employee managed to pull him from the burning store and was not injured. The victim was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, where officials said he was in stable condition.
The incident was initially reported to firefighters as an e-bike fire inside a deli, but the circumstances quickly raised suspicions that the blaze may have been deliberately started. Witnesses told investigators that an object had been thrown into the business around the time the fire began.
One witness, identified by News 12 as a relative of the injured worker, said he saw two men throw what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail into one of the stores. Authorities have not independently confirmed that account, and investigators have not yet officially determined the cause of the fire.
The NYPD Crime Scene Unit responded to the location, while FDNY fire marshals are leading the investigation into whether the fire was intentionally set. Investigators were also seen removing bags of potential evidence from the scene.
The blaze caused significant damage to multiple businesses along the block, leaving several storefronts boarded up afterward. Surveillance footage reviewed by local media showed flames spreading rapidly through the area.
As of the latest update, no arrests have been announced, and authorities have not established a motive. Investigators are continuing to examine surveillance footage, physical evidence and witness accounts to determine exactly how the fire started and whether someone deliberately targeted the store.
