The East Village explosion and fire destroyed a number of stores and forced many nearby businesses to shut their doors, and while the owners are tallying their losses, they are just thankful they're alive. Michael Scotto filed the following report.
Moishe Perl handed out cinammon sticks to emergency workers and residents Friday, the morning after the East Village disaster forced his bakery to shut its doors.
"I was in front of my store and I heard a bomb," Perl said. "I was looking if it's a flight or a truck someplace, and then I saw the window got out with debris, with people being thrown on the street."
His bake shop is on Second Avenue, about a half-block from the three buildings that collapsed after the explosion and fire.
Police sealed off two blocks of Second Avenue to everyone but emergency workers, residents there and storeowners.
On Friday afternoon, police opened part of Second Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets to pedestrians, but business was quite slow. "The New Yorkers Market" had just a trickle of customers. and when we went in to the Hot Kitchen, the manager, Kevin Song, said he wasn't expecting many people to stop in for a meal.
"I think maybe have a lot of delivery, but I don't think there's dining," Song said.
Sushi Park, where the explosion occurred, and the beloved restaurant Pommes Frites next door were not as lucky. Both eateries were reduced to piles of charred rubble by Friday morning.
Pommes Frites tweeted, "...Our main concern is for those who were injured. This is a terrible tragedy, and our hearts go out to them and their families." The restaurant added, "We hope to re-open someday soon, and we will keep you updated when we have more news to share."
It's unclear when that will be. As for Perl, he said he hopes to reopen on Sunday, though he said he's still in shock over the explosion.
"I was concerned about lives. I was concerned about everything. But thank God we got out alive," Perl said.
Alive, and back in business soon.