HARLEM, NY - Two hundred firefighters joined in to battle a blaze that destroyed or damaged multiple stores in a taxpayer in Manhattan on November 3rd.

At approximately 3:00 A.M., units were dispatched to 490 Lenox Ave. for multiple reports of smoke from the roof. A 10-75 was transmitted on arrival for a fire in the first floor of a one-story 150'X50' taxpayer containing eight stores. Trucks opened up and the first line was stretched inside. A second alarm was transmitted at 3:17 A.M. as the smoke condition intensified. Heavy fire broke through the roof and all members were withdrawn at 3:23 A.M.

The defensive operation quickly went to a third alarm at 3:26 A.M., and a fourth alarm soon after. A total of seven tower ladders were put into operation. This kept most of the fire damage to the stores on the left with the rest suffering smoke and water damage. Two Multiversals and several handlines also operated. The visible fire was knocked down, but the heavy smoke continued. A fifth alarm was sounded for relief at 6:30 A.M., and the fire was placed under control at 7:19 A.M. One firefighter was transported to the hospital with reported minor injuries.