Five-Alarm Bronx Fire Raises Worries About Arson

Yesterday a five-alarm blaze that damaged a strip of stores in the Norwood section of the Bronx has residents and business owners—not to mention fire department officials— suspicious. The fire, on East 204th Street near Bainbridge Avenue, is the second in two months for the neighborhood—a five-alarm fire on Bainbridge near East 204th Street also destroyed businesses. One resident told WABC 7, "The first time it was the bakery and now again, it doesn't make sense."

The October 31 fire, which started at a bakery, on Bainbridge Avenue was actually the second since April for that strip of stores. City Councilman Oliver Koppell told the NY Times, "This is just a devastating blow to a beleaguered neighborhood. And to me it looks very suspicious." Another resident opined to the Daily News, "When you burn up stuff, the property value goes down. It's got to be an arsonist."

Fire Department Assistant Chief Edward Baggot said, "Right now it's under investigation by the bureau of fire investigation due to the amount of fire that was here on arrival."