Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, a fire began at 927 Grand Street. It quickly spread to the two neighboring buildings. More than 200 emergency responders reported to the scene, and the fire was under control by Monday morning. Three firefighters were injured; one suffered moderate injuries, and the others had minor injuries.
All eighteen residents from the three buildings escaped unharmed. However, three pet cats were reported missing. Cat food was put out for them in case they made it out.
NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) issued a full vacate order for the three buildings and fenced them off for public safety. It was determined 927 Grand Street was structurally unstable and an order for a full demolition was initiated the following day.
American Red Cross disaster relief staff and St. Nicks Alliance’s Community Preservation Unit were among those on the scene to help the displaced residents.
“We spoke directly with several distraught tenants gathered outside the properties and assisted in connecting them with Red Cross personnel to ensure they received information regarding temporary lodging assistance. In addition, we provided impacted residents with basic tenant rights information related to post fire displacement from NYC Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez’s office, discussed the potential need for longer term housing advocacy, and distributed organizational contact information for any households seeking follow up assistance or resources,” said Raliek Gholson, assistant director for counseling and organizing.
Gutiérrez published the Residential Fire Emergency Response Guide on her NYCC District 34 site. It is a helpful tool in a stressful time that can prevent displacement, and it informs on tenants’ rights when it comes to paying rent during repairs or a vacate order. If the DOB issues a vacate order, the guide states, “A vacate order means that your unit is not safe to live in. It is not an eviction order, and it means that you will not owe any rent to your landlord while the vacate order is in effect.” There is a form where you can protect your right to your apartment by paying $1 a month in rent.
The DOB Buildings also concluded that the other two buildings sustained significant structural damage. 931 Grand Street, which is next door to 927 Grand Street, such damage the fire marshal indicated it was unlikely tenants could return in the near future. 933 Grand Street has less damage but is still under a full vacate order.
On a hopeful note, the DOB rescued one of the cats from the rubble. On May 7 they posted, “After a brief period of uncertainty following a large fire that occurred in Brooklyn’s East Williamsburg on Monday, Piper the cat has made it home. Another reminder that in NYC, we look out for every member of the family,” on X.
“Our team remains in contact with affected tenants and will continue providing guidance, advocacy, and referrals as families navigate the displacement process and await final determinations regarding the future of the buildings,” said Gholson.
If you would like to donate to those impacted by this fire, two GoFundMe accounts have been created: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuilding-after-the-fire-on-grand-street and https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-fred-and-emily-rebuild-after-the-fire.
The Greenline 