Huge Fire Ablaze in White Plains

A huge fire broke out Wednesday afternoon around 3 pm on East Post Road in White Plains. Firefighters report that the fire started in the basement of the Indian restaurant Bengal Tiger at 140 East Post Road and quickly spread to the neighboring strip of stores and restaurants that includes a shoe store, a dry cleaner and a Latin American Cafe. Nearly three hours later the fire was still ablaze with thick smoke billowing above and engulfing downtown White Plains. Due to the heavy smoke, firefighters could not enter the buildings and were forced to fight the fire by spraying water from the street.

Leaping red and orange flames could be seen emerging from the site as fire trucks sprayed water on the roof and through the building facade. It is not known whether chemicals from the dry cleaner contributed to the ferocity of the fire.

Fire companies from Greenville, Fairview, New Rochelle, Harrison, Armonk Scarsdale and Hartsdale came to the assistance of White Plains firefighters in addition to the Salvation Army, volunteers from White Plains Hospital, the Red Cross and several transport crews. At least 30 firefighters were taken to White Plains Hospital for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. All but one of the occupants of the buildings escaped unharmed.  Volunteers brought towels and water to help the firefighters. Con Edison was on the scene to cut power to the block.  According to Mayor Carolyn Stevens, a separate fire in the White Plains substation was the cause of widespread power outages in Scarsdale, not the fire on East Post Road.

Large crowds assembled to watch the spectacle and White Plains police re-routed traffic away from the scene.  As of 9:30 pm the fire was under control but East Post Road remained closed.

Bengal Tire has been an area favorite for years, well known for their Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer and Naan.  Greeted by the host in a red turban, customers would often line up at the bar and drink a Kingfisher while they waited for a table. With their restaurant now in ruins, we hope the owners are able to find a new location and reopen.