Partial collapse after fire rips through Morrisania building
A fire inside a three-story building at 1202 Franklin Ave left structural damage, as neighbors say squatters were staying in the home.
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Yellow tape blocked off a section of Franklin Ave on Sunday afternoon after a fire inside a Morrisania building left structural damage.
Firefighters responded to the fire at 1202 Franklin Ave around 1:30 p.m.
Over a hundred fire officials and EMS personnel worked on the flames.
No injuries were reported.
Neighbors told News 12 the building was abandoned but used by illegal squatters for the last two years.
"I park in the garage next door and you see the squatters coming in and out of the of the house," said one neighbor, Michelle.
Another neighbor walked by crews working to contain the flames shouting, "It was a long time coming."
Meanwhile, our team spoke with a man named Greg, who claims to have been the owner of the building for the last four years. He said one person was staying inside, but that person refused to speak with our camera crews.
Greg only shared what he says comes next: "Just waiting to see what happens. I'm going to speak to the owner that are building next door here, and we'll move on from there."
The American Red Cross told News 12 that they learned of one man who was displaced as a result of the fire and have offered him emergency assistance.
We have reached out to the Department of Buildings about the damage to 1202 Franklin Ave and neighboring buildings and are waiting to hear back.
At this time, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
