The New York City Fire Department is currently investigating the cause of a fire that broke out late Saturday morning in Melrose, destroying two businesses and blazing through four stories of residential apartments.
Flames tore through Fane Grocery, consuming the store and the flower shop in front before burning through four stories of the residential building overhead.
When the Bronx Times arrived on the scene Monday, employees were clearing debris from inside the grocery store, which was charred throughout.
Luis Rivera, who works at the restaurant Franco’s next door, said he was out on a catering delivery when the fire started, but his employees were forced to evacuate as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
“It was quick,” Rivera said. “There was smoke, and then it was gone.”
Rivera said he heard the fire may have originated in the flower shop that was attached to Fane’s Grocery, where a space heater was being used near paper and floral materials.
The FDNY said it received a call at 11:01 a.m. Saturday reporting a fire in the store. Twenty-one units responded, including 79 fire and EMS personnel. Four firefighters were taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries. The fire was brought under control by 12:40 p.m.
The store, also known as Juanito’s Grocery, was featured prominently in the music video for “Tití Me Preguntó” by Bad Bunny.
News 12 reported that the Red Cross was on the scene assisting nine adults and a child who lived in four apartments above the store.
MELROSE FIRE UPDATE: The fire that forced 10 people out of their homes on Courtlandt Avenue damaged Juanito’s Grocery and a neighboring florist shop.#News12 #TheBronx #MelroseFire #CommunityUpdate #JuanitosGrocery #BadBunny #LocalNewshttps://t.co/YuFgqcMKMy pic.twitter.com/Q4cvqEtXY1
— News12BX (@News12BX) March 1, 2026
Reach Marina Samuel at msamuel@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!
