A Saturday morning fire at a senior housing facility has claimed the life of a 78-year-old resident (Google Maps)
A total of 20 units, comprising 78 fire and EMS personnel, responded to a call just before 7:30 a.m. on Saturday at 111 West 71st Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues, according to an FDNY spokesperson.
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William Green, 78, was found deceased in his 10th-floor apartment during the blaze, according to the NYPD.
Initially reported as a fire alarm concern, the fire was declared under control at 8:05 a.m.
Manhattan *10-77* Box 1023
111 W 71st St off Columbus Ave
FIRE IN A HRFPMD— NYCFireWire (@NYCFireWire) December 14, 2024
c/o Citizen
No other injuries were reported, and fire marshals are investigating the cause.
c/o Citizen
The building at 111 West 71st Street, known as Hargrave House, is a 12-story, 112-unit senior living facility for individuals aged 62 and older in New York City.
Juan, 31, a maintenance worker at Hargrave House told the New York Post that Green was “a nice guy,” adding that ““He was a quiet guy who kept to himself.”
Another resident who lives on the 12th floor suspected Green was a hoarder, stating, “I could see the firemen sweeping up…literally shoveling up trash… It was an absolute mess,” they said.
A resident named Janice expressed that it was lucky more people didn’t get hurt. “Some people didn’t even realize what had happened because we are seniors, and a lot of people are hard of hearing. I heard the sirens, but not everybody did,” she said.
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