Displaced tenants call on NYC to force landlord to repair fire-ravaged homes
ALLERTON, The Bronx (PIX11) – Displaced tenants of two fire-damaged Bronx buildings are calling on city officials Thursday to force their landlord into making emergency repairs so that they can move back in.
Families of 2910 Wallace Ave., which was gutted by a five-alarm fire on Jan. 10, said they’ve been living in shelters for the last six months. Tenants scrambled to escape the six-story building amid heavy smoke, freezing winter temperatures and strong winds.
The fire was sparked by faulty electrical wiring, according to the FDNY. The Red Cross reported 221 people, including 64 children, required emergency assistance.
Within weeks, some tenants housed in hotels told PIX11 News they were worried about their next steps as short-term shelter funding was running out.
“We left a home that it was not our fault that it burned down,” said Cynthia Quintana. “I don’t want to cry today; it’s like I haven’t stopped crying.”
Tenants are still waiting for answers from landlord Ved Parkash, who is also the landlord of 1420 Noble Ave. – another building that suffered heavy fire damage in 2023. Noble Avenue residents also said they haven’t seen repairs at their building, either.
The Legal Aid Society will join both tenant groups for a news conference on Wallace Avenue.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed off on approval for federal loans of up to $100,000 for renters to help repair or replace damaged property in March.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.