Two fires reported at two different local restaurants, within days of each other, have resulted in one being shut temporarily and one being closed indefinitely.

 

On Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7.14 p.m., the FDNY responded to a call for “all hands” in relation to a fire reported at El Buen Ambiente, a restaurant and bar, located at 108 East 198th Street in Bedford Park.

 

According to officials, the fire began on the roof of the one-story, commercial building located between Creston Avenue and the Grand Concourse. Sixty firefighters from 12 units brought the fire under control at 7.48 p.m., with no injuries reported.

 

A few days later, on Saturday, Dec. 19, a second fire was reported at 12:42 a.m. at the popular El Valle Restaurant, located at 2448 Jerome Avenue, at East Fordham Road in Fordham Heights.

Fire officials reported receiving a second “all hands” call regarding the fire, which broke out in a one-story, commercial building. Once again, 60 members from 12 units responded to the blaze, and no exact time was provided for when it was brought under control. No injuries were reported.

 

Fire officials added that the cause of this fire remains under investigation.

 

On Monday, Jan. 4, El Buen Ambiente was back open for delivery and pick-up. A call to the establishment found one employee who disputed the FDNY’s account that the fire began on the roof but declined to comment further.

 

Meanwhile, on Monday, Jan. 4, El Valle Restaurant still had its damaged, roll down gates, which had been cut in half by firefighters, pulled over the entrance. Since then, graffiti can be seen on the plywood boarding the building’s broken windows. Calls for comment continue to go unanswered at the location.