Bronx fire victims struggle for stability
A devastating fire in the Bronx has forced dozens of families to evacuate, leaving survivors facing uncertainty as they wait for long-term housing assistance.
bronx – Dozens of families in the Bronx are still battling the devastating aftermath of a massive fire that gutted their homes and forced them to take shelter in temporary housing.
A fire can change lives overnight
What we know:
The fire broke out early Friday morning on the sixth floor of the apartment complex at 2910 Wallace Avenue, leaving the building pitch black and uninhabitable.
The fire injured seven people, including five firefighters, and the fire briefly reignited in the afternoon.
A new sidewalk shed was erected over the weekend as a safety measure for passersby near the severely damaged six-story building.
The New York City Department of Buildings issued a permanent eviction order for the building, leaving more than 250 people living in temporary housing.
Fire victims express grief, frustration
What they are saying:
The fire was devastating for residents like Anthony Randolph, who lived on the floor where the fire occurred and lost everything.
“My son passed away a year and a half ago. His ashes were at home, but now they’re gone. We don’t even have his ashes anymore,” Randolph said.
Randolph and some of the evacuated families say they are disappointed in the city’s support for the fire victims.
“We work in New York, we pay taxes here, and you want to give us three days and a hotel, but for other people who come from other places, You’ll give them a few months in a hotel,” Randolph said.
What’s next:
The nonprofit organization Disciples of Hariri is working on the ground to provide all possible resources and support to displaced fire victims as they try to rebuild their lives.
“We started distributing knit hats, gloves, scarves and coats,” said Max Acosta, co-founder of Disciples of Galilee. “Just come in and give them hope and be a light in their darkness.”
Questions about heating conditions in apartments
Back story:
Questions have been raised about the heating conditions in the building where the fire occurred.
The building has received 239 heat-related complaints over the past three years, including one this month on 11, according to city records.
Although the building’s boiler passed the latest inspection, residents who spoke to FOX 5 NY said living conditions were unbearably cold and some people may turn on their space heaters. .
Building representatives claimed to have a fever.
