NEW YORK — Huge flames from inside a Bronx supermarket sent smoke into the air as the fire broke out as the busy store was packed with shoppers and workers.
The fire broke out at a C-Town supermarket on University Avenue in the Morris Heights neighborhood around 5:30 p.m., fire officials said, quickly growing to 5 alarms. An employee said the grocery market was busy at the time and noticed smoke coming from near the top of the building, near some wires.
Shoppers and workers were able to run out of the store safely, the clerk told NBC New York. The FDNY later said that four people were injured, one civilian with minor injuries and three firefighters.
Two people who live in the building next door said they heard a loud explosion and ran out of the house.
Approximately 200 firefighters were on scene trying to put out the flames which were extinguished by 9 pm Crews were expected to stay overnight to eliminate potential hot spots.
The biggest concern quickly became preventing the fire from spreading, with an Exxon gas station located next to the grocery store. Firefighters were able to put out the flames to prevent them from reaching the gas station and tire shop, the FDNY said.
It was not immediately clear what may have started the fire. An investigation is ongoing.
