Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Inwood Shops Remain Open for Business in Wake of Dyckman Street Fire

By Nigel Chiwaya | May 7, 2013 10:04am
  Just Plastics and Tread Bike Shop were able to open for business following the April 27 fire.
Inwood Businesses Okay After Fire at 250 Dyckman Street
View Full Caption

INWOOD — Two Inwood shops have remained open for business in the aftermath of a fire that broke out in their Dyckman Street building last month.

Plastic factory Just Plastics and the popular Tread Bike Shop have been able to keep serving customers following the April 27 fire that scorched part of 250 Dyckman Street.

"We're still here," said Just Plastics owner Robert Vermann. "We didn't miss a day of work."

Vermann said the early-evening fire was started by an old refrigerator in the factory's polishing area. He added that it would have been easily extinguished by factory personnel had the business not been closed for the weekend.

"We wouldn't have even needed a fire extinguisher," Vermann said.

The FDNY said Tuesday that the cause of the fire was under investigation.

The fire damage was contained mainly to that corner of the factory where the fridge was located. However, the factory's main room suffered smoke damage and broken windows.

"It was tough to watch from outside," Vermann added. "I was devastated until I came in and and saw the actual damage."

Tread Bike Shop, located next door to Just Plastics, escaped without any major damage, although owner Ozzie Perez said he spent five hours sweeping water out of the store that night.

"We were open the next day," Perez said. "A lot of people came in and didn't even realize there was a fire."