10 Businesses Shuttered By Fire, Code Enforcement Investigating

Ten businesses were shuttered and will remain closed indefinitely after an this morning on Westchester Avenue.

Firefighters rushed to Armenta Vision Optical at 107 Westchester Ave. in response to the 9 a.m. fire call.

Some 45 firefighters battled the blaze, bringing it under control within about 10 minutes, Chief Kevin McFadden said. One person was treated for chest pains, but no one else was injured and firefighters were able to clear shop employees and customers out of Armenta and neighboring stores, McFadden said.

Preliminary reports from county fire investigators indicate the blaze was electrical in nature. An investigation is ongoing.

In the meantime, 10 businesses -- including Armenta, a nearby eatery, a computer repair shop and at least half a dozen other stores or commercial offices -- have been closed down as authorities deemed the building unsafe and directed Con Edison crews to shut off the building's power.

Armenta Vision Optical's storefront was destroyed, and there was extensive heat, smoke and water damage to the second floor, McFadden said.

As code enforcement inspectors wait to conduct a walk-through, the chief described the building as "just a mess, electrical-wise."

It's the latest in a attributed to serious safety violations in Port Chester.

Westchester Avenue between Main and Broad streets has been closed for most of the morning, and authorities remain on-scene as the village's building inspector and county fire investigators conduct inspections.

Check back with Port Chester Patch for updates.

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