Illegal conversion kills immigrant

From the NY Post:

A fire in an illegally subdivided Brooklyn apartment killed an NYPD traffic agent yesterday, authorities said.

Firefighters found the body of Mohammed Miha, 40, on the hallway stairs in the two-story house on Drew Street near Pitkin Avenue in East New York.

The cause of death was likely smoke inhalation or burns, FDNY Battalion Chief John Johnson said.

Miha, a Bangladeshi immigrant who joined the force last year after working as a cabby, had no family in the United States but was engaged to a woman in Canada, according to his friend Kazal Mahmood.

STATEMENT FROM BUILDINGS COMMISSIONER ROBERT LIMANDRI ON TODAY’S FATAL FIRE IN BROOKLYN INVOLVING AN ILLEGALLY CONVERTED CELLAR APARTMENT

“Today’s fatal fire at 568 Drew St. in Brooklyn serves as a tragic reminder to all New Yorkers that illegal conversions can have horrific consequences. Our inspectors have determined the cellar of this two-story building was illegally converted into an apartment, and it appears the lack of a second means of egress prevented the resident from escaping during the fire. This tragedy could have been prevented, which is why we continue to educate New Yorkers about the signs and dangers of living in these illegal dwellings. On behalf of the Department of Buildings, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family and friends.”