Mona Lisa fire victims say co-op board is dragging its feet in battle over their belongings

Some of those residents tell News 12 that they are now being barred from retrieving their personal items from the damaged dwellings. They're now concerned those belongings are in danger of being stolen.

Nadia Galindo and Bob Doda

May 22, 2023, 4:29 PM

Updated 431 days ago

Share:

Some Yonkers fire victims say they are living in a state of stress and anxiety because they are being barred from retrieving personal items from their co-op building.
The fire started at the six-story Mona Lisa co-op building around 1 a.m. on March 8 in a first-floor apartment. It quickly traveled up the building and through the roof.
More than 100 firefighters worked at the scene. It took about seven hours for them to get the fire under control. A 67-year-old man on the fourth floor died in the fire, and many other residents and first responders were injured.
Two months later, a group of residents are still asking to retrieve what’s left of their personal belongings.
"We have all of our memories there,” said one resident. “My parents – they passed away. Her pictures, the only one video I have – this is devastating for us."
They also say that they are concerned about burglars picking through their possessions.
News 12 was told by a spokesperson from the City of Yonkers who said residents are not being allowed back in the building due to dangers posed by asbestos. They would be willing to expedite an application to remediate it, but the co-op board has yet to file any paperwork.
News 12 reached out to the co-op board president and Metropolitan Property Services for more information but did not get a response back.
Residents are hoping for some answers at a co-op board meeting on Wednesday night.
An electric heating lamp being used to grow marijuana was determined to be the cause of the fire.


More from News 12
1:52
Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

Hudson Valley doctors warn of listeria dangers following multi-state outbreak

2:04
Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sunny skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:38
Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

Multimillion-dollar transformation on the way for sections of Hudson Valley

0:49
New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

New basketball documentary film 'The Process' has ties to Westchester

0:49
Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

Olympic watch party in Pomona cheers on Rockland athletes

0:32
Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

Veteran firefighter who suffered stroke receives warm welcome home

0:17
Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

Yorktown police sergeant celebrates final walkout following 2 decades of service

1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued