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by Derek Rose and Tony Sclafani
A five-alarm fire broke out at a Washington Heights 99-cent store yesterday, spreading to two adjoining buildings and sending 11 firefighters to the hospital, officials said.
The raging blaze began about 5:25 p.m. inside a stack of toilet paper at 171 W. 171st St. while people were still shopping inside, fire officials said.
The flames quickly spread, destroying an adjoining linen store and a bar called the Rose Pub 'N Grub near the St. Nicholas Ave. corner.
Fire officials believe the blaze was deliberately set, but it wasn't immediately clear if an accelerant was used.
Some 225 firefighters responded to the fire, with 11 treated for smoke inhalation and back and neck injuries at nearby hospitals. One civilian was injured, but refused medical attention, fire officials said.
At least 31 people were evacuated from a nearby five-story apartment building and group home. Many neighbors were stunned at the sheer damage of the flames.
"I just renovated 2-1/2 million [dollars worth], 2-1/2 years ago. I'm 40 years here, so it hurts a little bit," said Rose Pub 'N Grub owner Eugene McCarthy, 63. "It all went up in flames. Hopefully, I'll be able to rebuild."
Salvatore Cassano, chief of FDNY operations, said it was a tough fire because of the many stacks of paper and plastic goods housed in the 99-cent store.
"It was a very difficult fire to fight. You have shelves coming down on you," he said.
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