Westchester View

As posted yesterday, the Bengal Tiger – a landmark Indian restaurant in downtown White Plains went up in flames yesterday.  The cooking oil that was everywhere combined with 100 degree temperatures and flammable chemicals from the adjacent dry cleaners caused the fire to rapidly escalate into a 5 alarm fire.  Over 160 firefighters from White Plains and neighboring communities responded to the blaze.  The roof collapsed about 5 hours after the blaze began.  The fire is now “under control” but not over. 25 were overcome by smoke inhalation and the heat and taken to area hospitals.

I drove by this evening to see what had happened. I was going to walk the streets, but decided against it as there were too many bystanders as it was and I didn’t want to be underfoot. The few shots I have were taken from my car, but you can still see the horrific damage.  At least half that block is wiped out. The presence of White Plains’ finest and bravest was very dominant – as well it should be.

There are ancillary issues to this fire.  One would be that it is a fire under investigation.  The Journal News indicated that the restaurant had filed twice for bankruptcy protection in recent years.

Another issue is the down-sizing of the police and fire departments.  White Plains residents faced an eye-popping 19%  tax increase or layoffs.  The unions did not appear interested in negotiating a pay cut or a cut in benefits and something had to give. The mayor and council took a line down the middle through layoffs and increasing copays for retirees and a 6% tax hike.  Many are calling for the return of the laid off fire fighters.  When I went on-line to see what was going on in the local on-line news – you could hear the hate on both sides.  The anger from the union end and the anger from the taxpayers end.  I must say here and now that anyone who thought the fire fighters didn’t “work hard enough” need serious psychiatric help.  It is entirely possible for a fire to get out of control in that heat with the grease and chemicals creating the “perfect storm.”  But I also have to say that White Plains resident’s have seen their taxes nearly triple in the last 12 years.  The union demands have been and continue to be totally unaffordable and something had to be done.  I will address this issue in a future blog.

The other burning issue for me lies down the road to rebuilding.  This area is close to the city center White Plains. You can see Trump Tower White Plains in the background – just a few blocks away.  Residents from residential areas have been footing the bill for that beautiful big downtown because it has yet to pull its own weight.  So the infrastructure costs of maintaing  a city with previously unheard of 42-story high-risers  has fallen squarely on the single family homeowner. However, the landlords of the buildings on East Post and down Mamaroneck Ave. towards Main St. have been panting to build UP.  Trouble is we can’t afford more handouts to builders.  The fire may be an excuse to open up the discussion once again.  Be prepared for a fight between the downtown and the south end where most of the residential homes are.

© 2010 Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com