'It's a nightmare;' Tenants say they are living in unsafe conditions after deadly fire inside Morris Heights building
Tenants stood outside of 1484 Montgomery Ave. on Tuesday to demand answers and better living conditions after the deadly fire killed one person and left several tenants displaced.
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Neighbors demanded answers and better living conditions as part of a press conference outside 1484 Montgomery Ave. after a deadly fire inside the building on Sept. 23.
The fire killed one neighbor, and left 10 people hurt.
The American Red Cross tells News 12 they provided emergency assistance to the 72 displaced tenants, but some say the hotel accommodations were only provided until last Friday.
"This would be the third time that we've moved. The first hotel was disgusting...There were prostitutes. There was pimps. There were people trying to come in our room. Holes and rodents. Like it was unbelievable," said one displaced neighbor, Uneek Valentin.
Neighbors shared images with News 12 showing hotel doors with broken locks, ripped furniture, and charred interiors.
Valentin says she has also tried to reach Crisis Management Systems, but their call for mental health support has gone unanswered.
Many neighbors say the neglect has gone one for years, after they claim they complained to the city and the landlord about a troubled tenant, but nothing was done. Residents believe the same man they complained about is behind the Sept. 23 fire after ring camera video show him playing with fire in the building's hallway hours before the blaze.
In a statement, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development say, "“First and foremost, our thoughts are with those continuing to mourn the death of their family member, friend, and neighbor. We also want to acknowledge how heartbreaking it is to lose a home. The American Red Cross has been providing assistance and immediate temporary relocation to all affected households, and HPD staff and the Back Home Unit have continued to support tenants with resources and guidance — both for the short and long-term.”
The Department of Buildings didn't confirm when neighbors can expect to return to their apartments but said in part, "DOB partially rescinded the Vacate Order to allow tenants in certain apartments to access their units for the retrieval of belongings. This retrieval is only allowed under the supervision of the building owner’s hired engineer, and only applies to units that have been deemed safe enough to enter under engineer’s supervision."
A source close to the office of Councilwoman Pierina Sanchez tell News 12 she is in touch with the affected neighbors and has assisted some with getting extensions for the hotel accommodations.
Impacted tenants say they plan to contact the Mayor for help and will sue the city and the building's landlord. We have not heard back from both parties.
