For three straight weeks, as reported, family members displaced by a 5-alarm, fatal fire in Belmont that also resulted in several injuries, have been back at the building, now encased by a temporary wooden barricade, keeping vigil and searching the broken windows for any glimpse of the estimated seven cats and other animals left behind after the blaze. Residents believe they may still be inside the hollowed-out structure.

 

As we reported on Wednesday, May 6, displaced residents of the devastating fire that broke out on April 21, along with Animal Care Centers of NYC, had been calling the City to obtain a status update on various pets trapped inside the building. At least one tabby cat and the body of a dog were already removed, as reported.

 

According to one neighbor, Mary Baron, on Tuesday, May 12, 21 days after the fire which took place on April 21, Kevin Sexton of NYC Animal Care Centers (ACC) emerged from the building once again, this time with a black and white cat named Oreo that had been captured in a trap left by ACC, and returned it to its family. After the latest rescue, Baron said, “That’s good news because the more happy endings we have, the more we will continue to try.”

Baron, a schoolteacher, who lives a block away from the building where the fire broke out at 660 East 187th Street, sparked the rescue mobilization along with rescue groups like Little Wanderers NYC, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Melody’s Garden Sanctuary, based in Co-Op City, and Cat, Kitten Solutions Rescue of Long Island. The rescue mission also brought out local cat trappers Star Morales, John Cortese, and “Monica.”

 

According to residents and video posted to social media, a cat named “Charlie,” was observed on the building’s fire escape on Sunday, April 26. Baron was able to convince members of FDNY’s Ladder 42 to climb the fire escape to the cat but Charlie slipped away. Fire crew members were able to grab “Coco,” who was later returned to its owner, Esmerelda Reyes, who continues to advocate for the other families and their pets.

On Thursday, May 7, a demonstration organized by Little Wanderers and PETA was held at the building, where they were joined by the fire victims. Members of NYC Emergency Management, the FDNY, the NYPD, NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) and NYC Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) were huddled nearby, discussing and planning ways to safely enter the severely damaged, 5-story building built in 1906.

 

During two prior press conferences held at the site, fire officials had confirmed that the roof had collapsed from the fifth floor to the fourth floor and the interior stairs had collapsed above the second floor.

On May 7, Rachel Ejsmont of PETA used a bullhorn as she led the crowd in chants of, “FDNY! Do your job!” and “Let the trappers in!” After more chants of “Two weeks too long!” the group of City officials casually moved out of sight down Cambreleng Avenue. They soon returned, and after speaking with Ejsmont for several minutes, she returned to the crowd telling them, “It’s going to be a little dangerous but the good news, they’re going in!” The news was met with loud applause and cheers from the crowd of residents and animal advocacy groups.

 

A short time later, Sexton returned with an orange tabby cat, first believed to be “Ritchie,” owned by displaced resident Luciano Silva. Ritchie’s family appeared ecstatic as television cameras focused on the apparent reunion and several media outlets quickly left and reported that Ritchie had been returned to his family. However, Ritchie’s family took the distraught tabby cat to a vet and discovered the cat was female, and not actually Ritchie but “Miss Kitty.” She was later returned to her owner.

Sexton was also seen consoling another family as they learned news of their deceased dog, the body of which had been also retrieved from the building. Many of the same cat rescue groups returned to the site again on Friday, May 8, as ACC members once again reentered the damaged building. This time, Sexton returned with a large turtle, as well as a small, deceased cat, giving another family closure.

 

As reported, the Red Cross told Norwood News the fire had displaced 29 households made up of 95 people, 75 adults and 25 children and were provided financial assistance and temporary lodging if needed. On Tuesday, May 12, Frederic Klein, the regional communications manager with the Red Cross, said, “I remember, I was at that response. I remember people being very worried about their animals.” He added that residents registered 20 animals, 11 of which were reported missing.

 

Baron said she learned of a proposed animal welfare bill S1784 that had advanced in the State Senate on May 5 that would require property owners to inspect vacated apartment buildings within three days. The legislation is currently under discussion in the State Assembly.

 

Sydney Guzman of Little Wanderers said in part of the latest rescue and advocacy efforts following the Belmont fire, “At a certain point this is going to be over. We’re going to make all of the efforts that are possible, but at a certain point, there’s going to have to be thought of what do we do with any of this? I do think that it’s only been a short amount of time, but I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned that there’s a lot of gaps [in the current laws].”

On Tuesday, May 12, Norwood News contacted the building’s super, Luis, by telephone and asked about the cats still left in the building. He replied, “I don’t know anything,” and the phone disconnected. A second call was made and went to voicemail. Norwood News attempted to reach the property manager and building owner but was unsuccessful.

 

Also on May 12, David Maggiotto, DOB deputy press secretary said, “ACC has put humane cat traps on the first and second floor, as well as the rear of the building. Floors above are not accessible, as there is no safe staircase.” He added that the traps are checked every 24 hours. Norwood News will continue to follow the story.

 

According to Altas Palmas Animal Clinic, dogs and cats can generally survive for a day or two without water, but dehydration becomes severe and dangerous after just 24 hours, and this timeframe does not take into account a situation in which there may have been a lack of oxygen, such as during a fire. The timeframe also depends on factors like age, health, and climate. “Without water, pets face rapid organ failure, making it a critical emergency,” a site extract reads.

 

Norwood News was previously advised by the FDNY Foundation that if residents are not home when a fire breaks out and if they have pets, owners can place a notice somewhere inside the apartment near the apartment door in large lettering that indicates if there are pets in the apartment, how many, and in which room they are typically located. They said every second counts and if they can, the firefighters may do their best to rescue them, though they cannot guarantee it, of course.

According to Maryland SPCA officials, any pets who have endured a fire should be taken to the vet as soon as possible. Some effects of house fires can take several hours to become lethal, so immediate veterinary care may prevent such effects from occurring, they said. “Your veterinarian will assess your pet’s heart, lungs, eyes, and skin,” they added.