The New York secretary of state is stepping in to get fire code enforcement lapses addressed in Ramapo.

News 12 has learned that a direct, extremely rare order is expected to be issued Monday in letter to the town, warning that if the numerous code enforcement failures are not fixed, the state may take over.

As News 12 has reported, dangerous fire code violations have been found in several private schools in Ramapo. Advocates say children's lives are being put at risk, along with the firefighters who are charged with protecting them.

"Kids right now are learning in schools that aren't inspected and in a lot of cases, we know aren't safe," says Rep. Kenneth Zebrowski.

Zebrowski has been leading the push for code enforcement for the past few years. He called Friday for the state to conduct inspections or authorize Rockland County to do them.

The issue came to a head recently when it was revealed in a News 12 report last weekend that Ramapo Fire Inspector Adam Peltz allegedly overlooked serious safety violations in at least four private schools in the town.

According to the letter obtained first by News 12, the state will be working with local governments to ensure the town follows the laws with code enforcement.

"We are going to move forward, one way or the other, in service and protection to the people of this community," says Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

The Department of State has warned that if immediate action is not taken, the town of Ramapo will lose control of fire safety enforcement.

The order is expected to be directed to officials sometime on Monday.