I saw a few people out on Avenue A clinging to their cats, including the nice guy above, who told me that he lived in an apartment building that was evacuated for fear that it might also catch on fire. The firemen made sure to save any animals that were in the building, he noted, including his handsome cat Gus Roberts.
Firefighters from about five ladder companies are still working to contain a blaze on East 14th Street near Avenue A. The fire broke out just after 10 a.m. on the roof of a one-story building and became three alarms about an hour later.
At least four businesses including a pizza restaurant, a convenience store, a hair salon and a Jackson Hewitt tax preparation office were damaged in the fire.
No serious injuries were reported.
The owner of the 24-hour convenience store said he smelled smoke and heard commotion next door at Pete's-A-Place pizzeria, where workers were making renovations, and ran over to help put out the fire.
"At first when I smelled the smoke I thought it was a small fire so I could help with that one. I could really stop the fire," said the convenience store owner. "But when we went upstairs, the flames were very, very big, very intense."
There is no word yet on what caused the fire.
Streets in the area of the fire have been temporarily closed.
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This very special triplex home with 2 private terraces includes a large planted roof terrace and is an oasis in the heart of the East Village. Enter into a large living room/dining room combination with a modern galley kitchen and a powder room. A dramatic staircase with double height ceilings leads you to the second floor Master that contains a separate sitting room, private bath and the first terrace. Continue on to the third level to the second bedroom with an additional loft suitable for storage or sleeping, and another full bath. From here you can enter your very private roof deck with electricity and water, a wonderful space for entertaining or as an escape from the world. The apartment has a north/west exposure with wonderful light and skyline views and a top of the line full size washer and dryer.
The number of students living in the East Village, whether in NYU dormitories or rental apartments, has proved to be the most contentious aspect of the college's increased presence in the neighborhood.
Furthermore, committee members explained, the waves of upperclassmen that often choose to rent apartments in the East Village lead to the "secondary displacement" of longtime area tenants.
A Curbed tipster notes, housing court hearings for remaining residents — many of whom are in pretty rough shape — are something of a regular occurrence.
