Bronx Community Faces Uncertain Future Following Asbestos Concerns from Devastating Fire Near Jerome and Burnside

Residents of the Bronx are grappling with the aftermath of a five-alarm fire that decimated multiple businesses near the intersection of Jerome and Burnside avenues. The blaze, which occurred last Thursday, has raised concerns about potential air contamination due to the presence of asbestos in the buildings' structures, Gothamist reported. Despite this, officials have reassured the community that there is no apparent public health threat.

At a recent community meeting, officials including City Councilmember Pierina Sanchez and state Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia expressed confidence in the measures being taken for safe demolition. According to Gothamist, “ Because there's a potential that it could be toxic,” Kenneth Brown, district manager for Community Board 5, advised avoiding the area. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has been monitoring the situation closely, and the property owner has hired a licensed asbestos contractor to continuously test the air during demolition.

Many local shop owners along West Burnside Avenue have been left uncertain about their future since the fire wiped out at least eight small shops. "What comes next? Are these businesses going to be able to come back onto their feet? What happens to the staff?" Councilwoman Pierina Ana Sanchez questioned in a statement obtained by CBS New York. 

Community response has been a mix of apprehension and action. Nathalie Springer, a local resident, expressed her worry to Gothamist about the demolition dust, particularly after dealing with the smoke's ingress during the fire, “All the smoke came into the building,” she said, “Basically, it was black. It was pitch black.”

On a related front, after FDNY cited a parked car blocking a hydrant during the incident, officials have renewed calls for public vigilance. "We are talking about parking on fire hydrants way too much these days," Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker told CBS New York, "I appeal to all New Yorkers, parking on fire hydrants slows our firefighters down from getting water on the fire. If you think that parking on a fire hydrant is a convenience, it's not. It's a recipe for death... Please, please stop parking on fire hydrants."

No injuries were reported in this latest incident, and the cause of the fire has yet to be disclosed.