Sunnyside community rallies support for tenants displaced in 2023 apartment building fire in Queens, New York

SUNNYSIDE, Queens (WABC)– Community members gathered Saturday to show support for tenants displaced during last year's massive apartment building fire in Sunnyside.

New York City Council member Julie Won led the rally outside the building at 43-09 47th Avenue, which remains uninhabitable.

The five-alarm fire occurred on Dec. 20, and FDNY firefighters determined that a renovation contractor using an unauthorized blowtorch to remove lead paint started the fire.

Hundreds of residents lost their homes due to the fire which raged just before Christmas.

The owner of the building, A&E Real Estate, helped to relocate many tenants to other buildings at the same rent rate. But now the owner wants to end the aid.

“We have a tenant who lives and sleeps in the metro. We have tenants who are overcrowded and continue to live with their families because they have nowhere to go,” Won said.

JANUARY COVER | Tenants must pick up the pieces weeks after Queens building fire

Also at Saturday's rally was House Representative Nydia Velázquez, who spoke about the power of community.

“It’s a question of justice and you have to understand that when we fight together, we win,” Velázquez said.

In a press release, a spokesperson for A&E Real Estate said: “We have made steady progress in stabilizing the building, but the damage was severe and there are no quick fixes here. We have been transparent with tenants about these challenges, and about the emergency hotel stays and discounted apartments we provided after “The fire was a temporary solution to give everyone breathing room during “They are making long-term plans. Ultimately, the insurance process will determine how to compensate all parties for losses caused by the fire.”

Councilor Won also wants the owner to pay residents $8 million in damages.

ALSO READ: 2 NYPD officers injured in shooting with migrant in Queens

———-

* Get news from eyewitnesses

* More Manhattan news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a news tip or story idea we should cover? Submit it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If you attach a video or photo, the terms of use apply.