Metro-North Fire Prompts New Safety Regulations for NYC Properties

Properties that sit under elevated rail infrastructure are now under inspection after a garden center fire broke out underneath the Metro-North tracks in East Harlem last month. The massive fire caused significant damage to the tracks and days of delays for Metro-North riders.

The FDNY found the fire was caused when fuel was spilled on a hot generator and then set ablaze by flammable materials that were being stored without the necessary permits. DNA Info's Dartunorro Clark recounted that "[They] also found propane tanks, which officials said did not play a role in the fire but were also stored without permits, and issued four summonses to the business…. which require a court appearance." The following violations were cited:

Unlawful storage, handling and use of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
Unlawful use of LPG for space heating (greenhouse).
Unlawful storage of gasoline in quantities requiring a permit.
Unlawful storage of portable fueled equipment.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said that in order to avoid more catastrophes like this one, regular safety sweeps and reviews of all properties located under critical infrastructure, e.g. the aforementioned tracks, will begin to take place. City agencies like the SBS, DOB, DOT and FDNY are all working to ensure that conditions like those that catalyzed the garden business’ fire do not exist in other places.

At a press conference held days after the incident, the Urban Garden Center's owner, Dimitri Gatanas, had words about the new guidelines, citing them as difficult to comply with, and perhaps the reason why the center won't remain in its location much longer. Mayor de Blasio took issue with the owner's comments, saying that he should own up to the violations, and humbly comply with the new regulations moving forward.

The garden center is now subject to monthly, and perhaps more frequent, inspections by the FDNY until further notice.

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