Harlem Fire Engulfs Longtime 125th Street Clothing Store

HARLEM, NY — A massive fire tore through a longtime Harlem children's clothing store Sunday evening, drawing hundreds of firefighters to 125th Street to battle the blaze for about three hours, city fire officials said.

The fire broke out around 7:45 inside the Lazarus store on 125th Street between Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, an FDNY spokesperson said. The FDNY response was upgraded to a 3-alarm fire, which means nearly 140 firefighters worked the scene.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control shortly after 10:15, fire officials said. Nobody was injured by the fire.

Video shared by the New York City Fire Department show that Lazarus suffered extensive fire damage. The second floor of the store is entirely burned black and its windows blew out during the fire, according to the video. Thick plumes of black smoke poured from the two-story building as firefighters sprayed water at the structure on Sunday night.

Nearby stores such as P.C. Richard & Son, Mattress Firm, Verizon and Metro PCS stores appear to have suffered some exterior damage but nothing as serious as the damage to Lazarus. Lazarus is part of the America's Kids retail chain, which also operates brands such as Kids World and Young Land. The 125th Street Lazarus is the last remaining location of its brand, according to the America's Kids website.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and being investigated by city fire marshals.