Bakery fire results in $5 million loss at the Yorktown Mall

A fire at a downtown strip mall Friday resulted in a $5 million loss, the York City Department of Fire/Rescue reported.

One man, the owner of a newly opened bakery, was injured when he arrived at his shop to find it filled with smoke. He was treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire started behind the Panaderia Bakery in the Yorktown Mall in the 100 block of North Duke Street Friday morning. Some oily rags in the back of the bakery spontaneously burst into flames, according to a fire department news release. The fire was termed accidental. 

The call was dispatched at 4:49 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they found the structure ablaze, with flames tearing through the roof of the mall, firefighters reported.

York City Fire Chief Chad Deardorff said the owner of the bakery arrived to open up in the morning and found the business on fire. 

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The owner of the business, Alex Vargas, was taken to York Hospital for treatment, his brother-in-law, Jose Alicea, said. He is expected to be fine, Alicea said.

The business just opened a month ago after Vargas and his family did extensive renovations. 

“The business was going really good, Alicea said. “Business was great.”

Alicea said the business is insured and the family expects to rebuild.

Deardorff said the fire caused $2 million worth of damage to the complex and a $3 million loss of the structure's contents.

Damage from the fire spread to adjoining businesses, the chief said. The extent of the damage is still under investigation.

The nine businesses in the strip mall were closed, affected by fire, smoke and water damage, Deardorff said.

In addition to the bakery, the mall houses a C Town Supermarket, a Family Dollar store, a Metro PCS cellphone retailer and a drug store, among other shops. The mall had been the site of a state-owned wine and spirits shop until it moved to West Market Street downtown. 

Giant Food Stores will be setting up a pop-up Giant produce department at the York Revolution Queen Street Parking Lot beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 to give city residents a chance to get free fresh produce. 

Staple vegetables and fruits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

See photos from the 2009 Chestnut Street fire: