Displaced residents of 47-49 Mott street were given a glimmer of hope as work permits were recently posted on the construction wall outside the building where a fast moving fire forced them out on March 24.
The fire which started in the ground floor gift shop’s back room quicky spread to engulf the whole shop and flames were seen pouring out of the shop. Onlookers gasped as flames raced up the front of the building and flames were seen on windowsills but luckily the fire did not spread into the apartments. There were several minor injuries to tenants who had to be rescued by the FDNY but no fatalities. Displaced tenants were given emergency housing by the American Red Cross but the accommodations are for 3 days then usually they are on their own. Council member Christopher Marte’s office could not provide how many of the 21 affected apartment tenants were placed in temporary housing.
The building owned by The Lin Sing Association is slated to undergo renovations to all fire damaged areas of apartments and common spaces. Although work has begun to remove charred debris there is no work completion date given but hopefully tenants can return sometime soon.
Official cause of fire has yet to be released.