Two storefront churches and a smoke shop were destroyed and three other businesses were damaged during a two-alarm fire in St. Albans on Wednesday afternoon.
The FDNY responded to a call received at 1:16 p.m. of a fire in an event space at 198-03 Murdock Ave. which is part of a commercial strip between 198th and 199th Streets. The blaze spread to neighboring storefronts and the FDNY transmitted a second alarm bringing a total of 25 units and 106 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene. The blaze was brought under control at 2:20 and there were no injuries reported, according to the FDNY. Fire marshals are working to determine the cause of the fire.
Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings found extensive fire damage throughout the building at 198-11 Murdock Avenue and extensive fire damage was also found at 198-07 and 198-09 Murdock Ave. which are separate addresses but part of the same building.
DOB inspectors issued Vacate Orders for the three properties as well as the rear yard of 198-11 Murdock Ave. due to obstructed egress.
Additionally, DOB inspectors found an unpermitted apartment created on the first floor of 198-11 that included a bathroom and full kitchen and issued violations to the building owner for work without a permit. DOB also ordered the building owner to hire a professional engineer to inspect the building and submit a report to the agency.
