A fire in a Brooklyn building resulted in the death of a squatter, a woman in her 40s. The fire department faced difficulties due to the structure being sealed and cinder-blocked, delaying their response. This location has been plagued with previous fires, at least one of which was intentionally set by another squatter. The owner has expressed ongoing concerns about safety and illegal occupations in their property, shedding light on the broader issues of squatting and safety in neglected urban spaces.
"There was a delay in getting water on the fire due to the fact that the building was cinder-blocked up," Simms explained, emphasizing the challenges firefighters faced.
"She had built a shanty in between the basement entrance where she was squatting illegally," said Assistant Fire Chief David Simms, detailing the victim's makeshift living conditions.
The building's owner expressed concerns: "Every two or three weeks I go there but I don't approach... I don't know if these guys have weapons or whatever."
With five previous fires at the property over two years, this tragic event underscores the ongoing struggles with squatting and arson in vacant buildings.
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