Warehouse fires, Amtrak transformer contained in Parkchester

A three-alarm fire with thick, black smoke swept through Parkchester on Tuesday, affecting Amtrak service and Bronx residents living nearby.

Officials said the three-alarm response was actually two fires in one part of the area about a quarter-mile apart.

“I cannot deny or confirm that they are related,” said FDNY Chief Kevin Woods

Executives said the first fire broke out around 2:15 p.m. on Bronxdale Avenue near a 60,000-square-foot warehouse that stored auto parts.

Meanwhile, FDNY said the second fire involved a transformer along the Amtrak line near the Con Edison substation in Parkchester.

Con Ed spokesman Philip O’Brien told News 12 that a high voltage wire caught fire.

“The Amtrak equipment fire spread through a chain-link fence into the employee parking lot at the Con Edison plant,” O’Brien said. “And I was told two or three cars were damaged.”

O’Brien said the fires did not affect Con Ed’s service or customers.

Amtrak said Busch also caught fire as the city is currently under a drought warning and a red fire warning.

“There have been more bushfires in the last 11 days than in any previous month in over two years,” Woods said.

Amtrak service from Penn Station to New Haven, Connecticut, was suspended Tuesday evening.

Luckily no one was injured.

“Both fires are currently under control,” Woods said.

Both fires remain under investigation.

On Tuesday evening, officials said it was too early to say whether the fires would have an impact on Wednesday morning’s commute.