A fast-moving inferno engulfed a row of storefronts in Kew Gardens Hills on Friday night, destroying 14 businesses and leaving three firefighters injured.
According to the Fire Department, the five-alarm blaze erupted at about 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 inside a store on Vleigh Place between 77th and 78th roads.
The flames quickly spread throughout adjoining buildings on the block, including Kosher Moshe’s Pizzeria, King David Bakery, Jay Ambe Convenience Store, Paragon Cleaners, Tolmas Restaurant and Prestige Men’s Boutique. A law office, a laundromat and a barber shop were among the businesses also destroyed.
More than 175 firefighters responded to the inferno; three of them were reportedly hospitalized with minor injuries while battling the blaze. No civilians were injured.
The fire was finally brought under control just after midnight on Saturday, the Fire Department tweeted. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
