A 72-year-old man was killed after a fire engulfed his illegal basement apartment in South Richmond Hill on Thursday afternoon.
The FDNY received a call just after 5 p.m. of a house fire at 94-14 132nd St. Firefighters confirmed the blaze broke out in the basement. The FDNY dispatched 12 units and 60 firefighters and EMS personnel to the scene. Paramedics rescued the 72-year-old victim, and EMS rushed him to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead a short while later.
Two other residents were injured, and one firefighter suffered a minor injury. They were treated at the scene. The fire was brought under control at 5:44 p.m.
Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings issued multiple summonses, including a failure to obey a vacate order that had been in place for the cellar level since 2018, occupancy contrary to department records, and work without a permit. The DOB inspectors found extensive charring in the cellar and smoke damage throughout the 2-story, semi-attached, wood frame building. No structural issues were found at the home.
FDNY fire marshals will determine the cause of the house fire.
