‘I don’t want to come back here.’ Eastchester tenants demand management reconsider deadline to return after fatal fire
The four-alarm fire on Jan. 24 displaced 119 households and required emergency assistance from the American Red Cross.
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Tenants of the Boston Secor Houses in Eastchester gathered in front of the building Sunday to demand that management reconsider a deadline to move back in after a fire left them without a home.
The four-alarm fire on Jan. 24 displaced 119 households and required emergency assistance from the American Red Cross.
On Jan. 28, 55-year-old Samuel Calderon was arrested and accused of starting the gas explosion that killed Ronald McCallister, 60, a resident of 3475 Bivona St.
Tenants told News 12 they received a notice alerting them of a deadline to return to their apartments by Wednesday.
One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said through tears, “I’m going through a lot and I don’t want to come back here.”
The Department of Buildings confirmed to News 12 that the vacate order was lifted for affected tenants on the first 14 floors, consisting of 91 households. A partial vacate order remains in effect for the last three floors.
“How do you expect anybody to go back to the exact same place that they could have lost their life?” said Dazlly, a tenant on the 17th floor.
Wavecrest Management said in a statement, “Following the tragic incident at Boston Secor, Wavecrest Management, NYCHA and our development partners acted immediately to provide emergency housing and essential resources to all impacted residents. Our team remains in constant communication with residents to ensure every household receives the support they need, and many of those affected residents have already returned to their homes. We do not tolerate the use of this tragedy to spread misinformation or fear. We remain focused on the facts, rather than incorrect, harmful narratives.”
Calderon faces charges including murder, manslaughter, assault, burglary, petit larceny and harassment. He is expected back in court on Feb. 23.
