A fire devastated Ben & Tony's Barbershop in Valley Stream last night. Officials have labeled the blaze non-suspicious. The fire broke out around 9 p.m., rapidly spreading and producing heavy smoke and flames, prompting a response from local fire departments, ABC7NY reports.
Firefighters battled the blaze for about 45 minutes, but the fire caused damage to neighboring businesses as well. A shoe repair shop sustained interior damage, with shoes and glass scattered throughout, while Junior’s Juice Bar & Jerk Pit, a newly opened eatery, suffered destruction to the back of its premises, according to News 12 Long Island.
Ben & Tony’s Barbershop, owned by Ben Karshigiyev, was destroyed in the fire, and more than 20 of his pet birds were killed. Karshigiyev told News 12 Long Island, “I wanted to save my birds. I had parakeets, parrots here, unfortunately, I lost all of them.”
About 50 firefighters from the Valley Stream Fire Department responded to the blaze, containing it before it spread to more businesses or homes. No injuries were reported. Investigators from the Nassau County Fire Marshal and the Arson Bomb Squad are examining the site, with early indications suggesting the fire may have started due to an electrical issue.
