Bronx families still waiting for answers nearly two weeks after Melrose apartment fire
The New York City Department of Buildings says inspectors found extensive damage throughout the property, including an open roof and multiple collapsed ceilings. The agency issued a full vacate order, forcing residents from the building.
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Residents displaced by a two-alarm fire in the Melrose section of the Bronx say they're still uncertain about when they will be able to return home, nearly two weeks after flames tore through their apartment building.
Paula Coronel has lived in the building for 30 years. Since the Aug. 21 fire, she and her family have been unable to return to their apartment.
Coronel says she had just returned from Ecuador when she saw the fire. She rushed her children out of the building before running back inside to find her oldest son.
The New York City Department of Buildings says inspectors found extensive damage throughout the property, including an open roof and multiple collapsed ceilings. The agency issued a full vacate order, forcing residents from the building.
Coronel says she, her husband and their three children have been staying in a hotel and have been approved to remain there through Sept. 30.
Another longtime resident, Gladys, says the difficulties facing tenants did not begin with the fire.
The Department of Buildings says the property owner has been ordered to hire a professional engineer and submit repair plans. Officials say those plans must be approved, and repairs completed before more residents can safely return.
The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development says it issued multiple violations related to fire damage and that the landlord is responsible for making repairs. HPD says a full vacate order affecting 42 apartments was issued on Aug. 25. A partial rescind has since allowed residents to reoccupy 23 apartments, while 19 units remain under vacate orders as repairs continue.
HPD says its priority is connecting affected families with emergency housing resources through the Red Cross and the agency's Emergency Housing Services program when longer-term assistance is needed.
The American Red Cross says it registered 45 households affected by the fire, including 99 adults, 26 children and 31 pets. The organization says it provided temporary lodging, financial assistance, disaster casework and other recovery resources. Red Cross officials say affected residents should continue working with their assigned caseworkers to address ongoing housing and recovery needs.
