Fire in Businesses on Ave. J and East 14th

By David Glenn and Matis Glenn

An electrical fire broke out on Avenue J and East 14th street, causing damage to a bank and the offices above it.

The fire started in a building that houses Flushing Bank, a barber shop, a Mexican food store, and a dry cleaners. All hands were called to respond to the fire, which resulted in smoke damage to the structure.

Joel Diaz and the four other employees of the El Mexicano take-out store were preparing for the afternoon shift about 2 p.m. Monday, when Diaz smelled smoke.

He went upstairs and saw a huge amount of smoke billowing from under the sink.

” It came out all of a sudden,” he said ” I called the fire department, and we all ran out. Thank G-d no one was hurt.”

The Fire Department confirmed that no injuries have been reported.

“We like it that way,” said an emergency medical technician at the scene, who was stationed with his crew in case they were needed. “You can always replace property, but not people.”