Business Owner Reflects on Aftermath of White Plains Fire

The smell of burnt air lingered in downtown White Plains today, one day after a raging fire engulfed a city block and injured 25 firefighters.

The persistent flames, made only more intense by the week's heat wave, destroyed six businesses at East Post Road and Court Street. 

Passersby stopped to snap photos and take in the destruction while businesses across the street reopened and reviewed the situation. For Greg Wilson of the Hair & Skin Care Boutique, the whole ordeal is heartbreaking.

In the shopping district around Mamaroneck Avenue, stores treat each other as part of a community working together and Bengal Tiger, where the fire began, has been in business for more than 25 years, around the same time Wilson started his own.

The incident began around 2:30pm in the basement of the well-known Indian restaurant. Firefighters battled with the blaze until about 9 Wednesday night.

"Our hats go off to the mayor and (Public Safety) Commissioner (David) Chong," said Wilson, who kept his business open for local firefighters to get a breath of fresh air. "Of course we owe a thanks to the firefighters from the different areas such as Hartsdale, Harrison, and Scarsdale, they really worked it out."

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