The Ozone Park Residents Block Association (OPRBA) is calling on city leaders, including Mayor Eric Adams and the NYC Council, to take urgent action in response to a tragic fire that unfolded in Bay Ridge on Feb. 9.
The association is demanding immediate measures to address the growing problem of blocked fire hydrants, which they believe may have directly contributed to the fatality of 37-year-old Gregory Fernandez, a Navy veteran and father of one.
The fatal blaze broke out on the third floor of 510 80th St. shortly after 3:30 a.m, according to Fire Department officials. Twelve units and 60 firefighters responded to the one-alarm fire, bringing it under control by 4:39 a.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the fire marshal.
Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that two vehicles had been parked directly in front of a fire hydrant, severely obstructing access for the fire department. The delay in getting water from the hydrant, OPRBA President Sam Esposito insists in a letter addressed to Mayor Adams, may have been a significant factor in the tragic death of Fernandez.
First responders found Fernandez unconscious and unresponsive inside the apartment, according to the NYPD. He was transported to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where he was pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine his cause of death. However, the OPRBA believes the blocked hydrant played a crucial role in hindering the fire response.
Fernandez’s wife and their 2-year-old son were also treated at NYU Langone and are now in stable condition, police said.
This incident has drawn attention to what Esposito describes as a “growing and serious issue” in Ozone Park and other parts of New York City, where illegal parking in front of fire hydrants has become an ongoing problem.
In the letter, Esposito emphasizes the impact of a shortage of NYPD officers, which has led to slower enforcement of parking violations. He claims that police officers are no longer consistently issuing summonses for parking violations when they spot offenses during patrols.
Furthermore, 311 complaints regarding blocked hydrants are often not addressed promptly, with some vehicles leaving the scene before officers can take action.
“This is unacceptable, and it has now resulted in the potential loss of life,” wrote Esposito.
He further expressed concern about the lengthy delays in response to complaints. In some instances, he noted, by the time officers respond, the offending vehicles are already gone with no consequences for their actions.
The OPRBA has reported filing over 100 complaints about blocked fire hydrants in the Ozone Park area alone, yet they claim that few of these complaints resulted in parking summonses. In the letter, Esposito urged the Mayor and the City Council to take swift and decisive action to address the issue, with the goal of preventing further harm to residents and ensuring public safety.
“We are demanding that blocking a fire hydrant be treated as a more serious offense rather than just a minor summons,” Esposito added.
He further requested that the NYPD prioritize 311 complaints in real-time and respond to them quickly to prevent tragic consequences, such as the one witnessed on February 9.
The OPRBA is also calling for a reevaluation of the city’s current parking rules, specifically the 15-foot clearance requirement for parking around fire hydrants. The association argues that this rule is excessive and proposes a more reasonable 3-foot clearance in both directions to allow for the efficient operation of fire hoses during emergencies. They believe this change could significantly reduce the chances of fire hydrants being blocked in the first place.
In addition, the association is advocating for the installation of official markings on the ground, located three feet from each hydrant, clearly indicating that parking in this area could result in arrest. These markings would serve as an educational tool to remind the public of the seriousness of blocking a fire hydrant and the potential consequences of doing so.
“We implore you to act swiftly to address this critical issue before another life is lost,” Esposito concluded. “We are counting on your leadership and the support of the NYC Council to prioritize this matter and take the necessary steps to prevent future tragedies.”
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Linda Bowen, the aunt of Fernandez’s wife, has raised more than $9,000 from 86 donations to help the family “rebuild their lives.”
Bowen wrote that the family lost all their household goods in the fire and described the loss of Fernandez as “devastating.” She said that funds will go toward funeral expenses, household needs, and travel costs for family members coming to New York to provide support.
“Anything you can donate to help this family would be so appreciated,” Bowen wrote.
