On Friday December 8th, 1995, a hostage situation turned deadly when a gunman set fire to Freddy's Fashion Mart, killing a total of 7 people, then turning the gun on himself. The motive for the murder, arson, suicide is not clear at this time, but the NYPD is considering this a bias incident since the owner of Freddy's is white, and was trying to expand into an adjoining record store owned by African Americans. This had sparked neighborhood protests and strained race relations.

The fire building at 272 West 125 Street, which is across the street from the famed landmark Apollo Theater, is a 2 story brick taxpayer 150 x 100. The fire originated on the 1st floor. Due to the uncertainty of the situation fire fighters were not entering the 1st floor. They initially fought the fire from the 2nd floor, giving emphasis on protecting exposures 2 and 3. Four DOA's were removed from the basement, apparently expiring from smoke inhalation. Three additional DOA's and the perp were removed from the 1st floor, apparently succumbing to gunshot wounds before being caught in the blaze.

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1023 BOX TRANSMITTED    E059 E047 E058 L030 L026 BC11
1028 S/C                BC16
1028 10-75              E080 RS01
1029 S/C                E037
1030 7-5                L040 DC02
1032 S/C                L023
1033 2-2                E069 E035 E076 L028 BC14 FC01
                        ST02 E072 AM01 SB01 TS01
1035 S/C                E041
1048 S/C                L017 L013
1050 3-3                E036 E091 E053 E060 BC13 BC12
                        BC06 MW01 E207 ST01 E009 MK01
1058 PROGRESS REPORT    FIRE THROUGHOUT 1ST & 2ND FLOOR. ALL COMPANIES REMOVED.
                        POLICE OPERATION IN PROGRESS. POSSIBLE HOSTAGE
                        SITUATION. DOUBTFUL WILL HOLD.
1115 PROGRESS REPORT    CONDUCTING AN EXTERIOR ATTACK. PROTECTING EXPOSURES 2 &
                        3.
1121 PROGRESS REPORT    3 10-45 CODE 2'S DISCOVERED..
1128 PROGRESS REPORT    1 10-45 CODE 1 DISCOVERED.
1132 PROGRESS REPORT    1 LINE STRETCHED TO THE 1ST FLOOR. MEMBERS OPERATING ON
                        THE 2ND FLOOR. PRIMARY SEARCH IN PROGRESS WHERE
                        POSSIBLE.
1142 S/C                L043 L055 L029 L027
1144 PROGRESS REPORT    THE 3 PREVIOUS 10-45 CODE 2'S ARE NOW CODE 1.
1156 PROGRESS REPORT    ALL VISIBLE FIRE EXTINGUISHED. PRIMARY SEARCH ON THE 1ST
                        FLOOR CONCLUDED. PROBABLY WILL HOLD.
1206 UNDER CONTROL
1230 PROGRESS REPORT    3 10-45 CODE 1'S DISCOVERED IN THE BASEMENT.
1234 PROGRESS REPORT    1 10-45 CODE 1 DISCOVERED IN THE BASEMENT.