2-alarm fire destroys 2 businesses in Brownsville

A fire destroyed two businesses on Belmont Avenue in Brownsville on Sunday.
Flames tore through a thrift shop and neighboring campaign office around 9 p.m.
Firefighters battled the two-alarm fire for about an hour until they could get the flames under control.
The flames destroyed a campaign headquarters for Brooklyn City Council candidate Alicka Samuel and spread into the neighboring thrift shop, which is still boarded up.
Samuel had just opened the headquarters two weeks ago, but says she’s confident the community can rebuild.

No injuries were reported, and fire officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.