Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Mother and baby in critical condition after fire in illegally converted home

From the Daily News:

A suspicious two-alarm fire ripped through an illegally converted Bronx building early Wednesday, leaving a young mother and her 2-year-old son in critical condition.

Flames raced through the two-story West Farms home - which was carved up into a warren of tiny apartments - and trapped the mother and son in the basement at 6:15 a.m., officials said.

Fire marshals have not pinpointed the cause of the blaze but suspect an incendiary was used, FDNY sources said.

Investigators are also talking to witnesses who claimed the occupant of the basement apartment was fighting with another woman in the hours before the blaze.

The two-story building was zoned to house two families, according to the Department of Buildings' website.

Sources said several more apartments had been illegally added but it was unclear how many because of the extensive damage.

In 2006, building inspectors issued a violation because 13 apartments were found inside the home, according to records.

Since then, six more complaints - all for reports of illegal occupancy - were lodged against the owner. It was not clear if they were resolved.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Put the landlord in jail for murder.

Fire the inspectors immediately.

Fire the inspectors managers immediately.

LETS SEND A MESSAGE A MESSAGE TO THIS CITY'S CORRUPT GOVERNMENT WE WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS ANYMORE.

Anonymous said...

Put the landlord in jail for murder.

Put Mayor Bloomberg in jail for planning for and ignoring the illegal conditions prevelent outside of Manhattan.

Anonymous said...

I'm not clear that its the inspectors fault (THIS TIME). The inspectors can only enforce the laws on the books. Furthermore, if a landlord has previously been charged with violations shouldn't it be easier to get a warrant to inspect the place? If someone repeatedly is charged with violations why don't the fines go up exponentially? At some point the city could put a lien on the property and take it just with enough fines.

Anonymous said...

I literally don't know anyone (I live in Flushing) who hasn't made an illegal conversion or is renting out an illegal conversion.

You have to be out of your mind if you think it's not going on EVERYWHERE. I mean EVERYWHERE.

cherokeesista said...

Anonymous said...
I literally don't know anyone (I live in Flushing) who hasn't made an illegal conversion or is renting out an illegal conversion.

You have to be out of your mind if you think it's not going on EVERYWHERE. I mean EVERYWHERE.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

I live and own a home in Flooshing:) No illegal conversions for me:) I enjoy my LIFE:) And value the lives of our Fire Fighters:) But they are all over my block and D.O.B. does nothing about it:( I can't wait to sell and get the hell out of this THIRD WORLD COUNTRY!!!

Anonymous said...

EVERYONE who knows of an illegal conversion needs to report it; you may be saving lives

Anonymous said...

It does no good to report illegal conversions. The DOB cannot enter a home without permission and the tenants simply refuse permission to enter. After the inspector shows up twice, the case is officially closed.

cherokeesista said...

Report them:) ROFLMAO 43-31 Bowne street in Flooshing reported for the past 10 yrs it's an Illegal bording house with people from the attic to the basement, we've counted about 30 + people living ther and D.O.B. does NOTHING!!!!

Anonymous said...

Actualy 43-31 Bowne st., according to DOB website, was violated in 1999, over 9,000 in fines. Again in 2003 and also vacated. Job filings and permitted conversion and new CO. in later years.
More attempts made in answer to complaints/
More recently some kind of zoning violations. All with different owners.
Violations issued to the criminal owner of the original posting.
Exactly what else should the DOB do. Its seems they are doing their jobs. Anything else would be out of their jurisdiction.
But obviously that would be hard to for the morons to comprehend.