Abandoned building catches fire again

Some Crotona Park South residents woke up to the smell of smoke and the sight of flames on Thanksgiving Day as firefighters battled an early morning fire.
Officials said the fire started close to dawn in a building on Franklin Avenue south of Crotona Park. This was the second fire at the building this year, according to neighbors.
They said homeless people started living in the building after the owners abandoned the site about three years ago. Another homeless man drove the rest of the group away by claiming to be the owner of the building, and he has occupied the building ever since, according to neighbors.
This second fire now has many residents worried for their safety. "It's a very dangerous situation," said neighbor Daniel Lora. "Not only for my family, but for the neighborhood. There's homes right around this one property."
No injuries were reported in the recent fire.