Blaz, biz clash on redevelop

A WATER MAIN break flooded at least 12 homes in Gerritsen Beach, Brooklyn, on Sunday morning, officials said.

Cold temperatures are believed to have caused the pipe to burst about 5:30 a.m.

“This happened all night long all over the city,” a fire official at the scene told News 12 Brooklyn.

In Gerritsen Beach, residents struggled to get water out of their basements and ground floors.

“Everything is ruined,” Jimmy Curattalo told News 12. “It’s close to Sandy but not quite . . . we’ll have to deal with it.”

Additionally, there was a water main break near the Throggs Neck Houses in the Bronx. All power was restored shortly afterward, said NYCHA spokeswoman Jasmine Blake.

In Midtown, a privately owned water pipe turned E. 67th St. between Second and Third Aves. into an icy, sludgy mess. The water rushed from the basement of the Fox 5 building, said the building’s doorman, who did not give his name. MAYOR DE BLASIO’S office defended an East Harlem project that is forcing out a family dry cleaning business — but the longtime businessman isn’t the only one who says he’s getting hosed.

“This two-block area of East Harlem is being developed to include a $300 million cancer research center, 800 affordable homes . . . and open space,” de Blasio spokeswoman Melissa Grace said Sunday, after the Daily News reported on the plight of Fancy Cleaners, which has been seized by the city using eminent domain after years of legal challenges to make way for the redevelopment.

“Small businesses are critical to this city, and we are working closely with this business owner to find them a new spot.”

Evan Blum, who owns Demolition Depot, a showroom full of vintage architectural fixtures on E. 125th St. said he’s also been battered by the city’s development push.

“They’re supposed to promote business . . . and they did everything they could to kill it,” he said. “The mayor doesn’t give a damn if we go out of business.”