Five-alarm fire in Bronx destroys six businesses

A five-alarm fire in the Bronx destroyed six businesses on Thursday. Firefighters faced delays due to a car parked in front of a hydrant, according to Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry. The fire began around 8:20 a.m. at a restaurant on Jerome Avenue and quickly spread to nearby stores. Over 200 firefighters responded, but had to switch to exterior operations due to the intensity of the flames. No injuries were reported, and fire marshals are investigating the cause. This incident follows previous fires where parked cars blocked hydrants, raising concerns about public safety.