The FDNY said Wednesday, June 3, that fire marshals have determined that the cause of the deadly, 5-alarm fire on April 21 at 660 East 187th Street in The Bronx was accidental and due to a refrigerator compressor. According to the website, danfoss.com, a compressor acts as both a motor and a pump, continuously circulating a cooling fluid (refrigerant) throughout the system to maintain a cold temperature.

 

As reported, a full vacate order was put into effect following the fatal fire, which resulted in the death of two people. Meanwhile, several pets, including cats and a turtle, left behind after the blaze were later rescued from the sealed building amid pressure from various animal welfare groups. Other pets did not survive. A vigil was held on April 24 to pray for all those affected by the tragedy.

 

Meanwhile, the fire department confirmed Monday, May 18, that after two then-recent searches of the building, during which they said partial human remains were discovered, and after searches for at least eight missing animals ended, the property was turned back over to the landlord.

 

As reported, the 5-story building was heavily damaged in the 5-alarm fire in which the two young female victims died, who neither police nor the FDNY publicly identified.

 

An FDNY official later told Norwood News, “A search was conducted on Thursday, May 14, by FDNY operations and the Office of the City’s Medical Examiner (OCME). FDNY Fire Marshals were on scene to document any findings.” The official said partial remains were found on Thursday and confirmed by an OCME anthropologist.”

When asked which floors of the building were searched, the official said, “The Department of Buildings (DOB) determined (that) the 4th floor was safe for members to search.” The official added that the fourth floor was searched on May 14, and the fifth floor was searched on May 15. The official concluded, “Secondary searches were completed on Friday, May 15, and FDNY Operations have concluded. The building was turned over to the DOB and the landlord.”

 

As reported, a major collapse took place at the roof and top-floor level of the building, as well as on the interior stairs above the second floor. On Sunday, May 17, Andrew Rudansky, DOB press secretary, was asked about a rumor among residents that the top floor of the building was to be demolished. “DOB has not issued any emergency demolition order for 660 East 187 Street,” he said. Rudansky also confirmed that the property had been turned back over to the landlord.

 

Asked if residents from the lower floors would be able to return to their apartments to retrieve valuables and personal belongings that survived the fire, Rudansky replied, “That is a determination that will be made by the owner’s contracted professional engineer.”

He said that after the fire, DOB ordered the landlord to contract the services of a licensed professional engineer to develop an engineering report on the structural stability of the building, and make determinations on what repairs were needed to return the building to a safe condition.

 

He added that there was potential danger for an additional collapse at the building, which is why the construction fence was installed to create a collapse zone in the interest of public safety. Rudansky said if the owner’s engineer determined that they could make the building safe to temporarily allow people back in to retrieve belongings, they would contact DOB to request the Vacate Order be partially lifted to allow such access.

 

He said the landlord and tenants could then schedule a specific date and time for the retrieval of belongings, which, he said is most often done under the supervision of the professional engineer or a representative of the landlord. Rudansky added that DOB had not at that point received any such request from the landlord’s professional engineer.

RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING

Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 16, the NYPD confirmed that a resident of the building had been arrested for trespassing and attempting to retrieve personal property from his burned-out apartment.

 

An NYPD official told Norwood News, “It was reported to police that on Saturday, May 9, at around 5.30 p.m., a person entered 660 East 187 Street, disregarding signs prohibiting people from entering the building.” The official said that Anthony Jolly, 36, was charged with criminal trespass.

 

On Thursday, May 14, Jolly acknowledged being in his first-floor apartment as people in the street began yelling at him for being inside the building that, as above, was subject to the DOB vacate order following the fire. Plywood barricades had been erected at the front and back entrances to deter entry.

Jolly said that in response to the people on the street who were yelling at him, “I went to the window and I was like ‘Shut up! I’m a tenant here. Shut up!’” He added, “One of the guys recognized me. Yeah, they called the cops.” Jolly said he spent “a couple” of hours in a jail cell and was later released. He said he was due back in court at the end of May.

 

Asked what he was attempting to retrieve, Jolly said various possessions. On Friday, May 1, Norwood News found Jolly standing a short distance away from his neighbors outside the building. The neighbors were keeping a daily vigil for pets left behind. Jolly said he just wanted to access his belongings. He said his wife was able to escape with their dog onto the fire escape.

 

“I can see straight through my bedroom window and that my stuff is still intact,” he said. “So, I need to retrieve my stuff, my kids’ stuff, my wife’s stuff.” Jolly also stated he was concerned that “crackheads” may be entering the building.

 

Read our prior coverage of the fire here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

 

Sign up for a free smoke alarm here.

 

Click here to read FDNY’s fire safety tips. “During a fire, always close the door behind you!” fire officials say. “It helps contain smoke and flames, giving you precious time to escape.”

 

Read our latest coverage of the fatal fire at 2609 Bainbridge Avenue in which three young children from the same family died here.