Talk Bronx New York

Fire officials said a blaze at the Hunts Point meat market started at Master Purveyors, a family-owned business that opened in 1957. It was unclear what effect the blaze had on its stock of beef. 

02/11/2008 

Hunts Point Market Fire Causes Millions In Damages 

Fire damaged the buildings of several wholesale meat suppliers in the Hunts Point Cooperative Market in the South Bronx on Monday night, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage, fire officials and business owners said.

The fire disrupted office and warehouse operations at several companies. Other businesses that escaped the flames will step in to fill meat orders to supply the region’s grocery stores and restaurants, one company executive said.

The fire started about 5:30 p.m. in a large two-story building at 355 Food Center Drive in the market’s meat section, which is separate from the produce and fish markets. The Fire Department declared the fire under control shortly after 7 p.m., though it was still smoldering a hour later.

The cause of the fire was under investigation. Fire officials said there was no indication of foul play.

The market’s meat businesses were generally closed when the fire struck, and no civilians were hurt. But three firefighters suffered minor injuries and were taken to Jacobi Medical Center for treatment, fire officials said.

The building that houses Master Meat Purveyors, Desola Provisions and several other businesses appeared to be the most badly damaged. More than two dozen windows were broken, and the roof was scorched. Water-soaked computer equipment had been set out on a loading dock in an attempt to dry it.

Vincent Pacifico, the owner of the Vista Food Exchange in the building next door, said the loss of goods and equipment, the cost of rebuilding and the lost business while companies are restoring operations would cost tens of millions of dollars.

Mr. Pacifico, a member of the market’s board of directors, said, “There are 43 cooperatives in the market, so New York will still be supplied with fresh, quality meat from the facilities that were not affected by the fire.”

SOURCE: NYTimes.com

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Bronx, NY — “Latinos Con Obama,” a group of young Latinos & Latinas and dedicated supporters of senator Barack Obama, is heading down to the Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia area today, headed by the Dominican Haile Rivera.

“Our goal in the DC/MD/VA area this weekend is to focus on the Latino community and visit businesses, bodegas, restaurants, beauty parlors, and just talk to the Latinos about who Barack Obama is and why we should stand with him and vote for him on Tuesday, February 12th. It is no secret that the Latino community has a deep affection for the Clintons because of Bill Clinton’s Presidency. However, I am convinced that once they hear where she (Hillary) stands on the issue of immigration, they will re-think supporting her. We (Latinos) can not support or have a President who believes that the best thing to do is deport individuals “with no questions asked” and “without due process.” This is something I would expect from a Bush administration but definitely not a true Democrat”, said Rivera, Founder and Coordinator of Latinos Con Obama.

Rivera further states that “after having dinner with the Senator back in

July 2007, I was even more convinced that supporting him was the best political decision I have ever made in my life. As a Bronxite, I have taken allot of heat for supporting Obama, which is fine with me, but I’m with him not because of what is politically convenient for me or any aspirations I may have in public service. I went with him because he has what it takes to make this country great again: courage, conviction, judgement and knows the issues. Senator Obama came from the bottom and worked his way up. That’s exactly what the Latino community takes pride in: success. The Bronx, New York and the American people needs a change, now and Obama is the way to go.”

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