Aftermath of the 57 Lincoln Road fire

The fire at 57 Lincoln Road burned out the top floor and water damage affected even more apartments than that - but the fire has forced all the residents of the building out of their homes.

According to NYC.gov, "all apartments will remain vacated until gas, water, and electric utilities are restored." It looks like it was posted on Sunday, so it may be out of date, but when I drove by yesterday it looked like police were controlling entry into the building.

Among the victims of the fire are two recent arrivals to the neighborhood, Jennie and Joel, who have set up a donation site for assistance. I'm sure there are other deserving tenants but these are the only ones that I know about. (NB: I don't know them personally but they seem legit.)

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Comments

[Amanda]

Yet another reminder to have renter's insurance.

[TW]

I lived in the building on 57 Lincoln Road and I have a husband and 6 year old. We were displaced due to the fire and the city has been less than pleasant to say the least. My family is middle income not on any public assistance therefore we have been given the run around and we were told many times over if we don't like what the city has to offer we can go on our own. We were put in a "questionable motel" in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn for one week. The motel was not a place for a child and being that my childcare provider residing in the building with us on Lincoln Rd we were forced to send our only child out of state to live with relatives. Now we are being relocated to the South Bronx which is not a great area and aside from that my child who is enrolled in Catholic School in Brooklyn which we have already paid has to be up rooted to a possibly dangerous neighborhood when she returns from out of state. I am in a position where I have to not only find a school for my child within the next few weeks (and hopefully receive a refund for paid tuition), find new childcare and wake up an extra hour early to prepare for my now long commute to work in lower Manhattan. I asked the case worker from the city if the neighborhood is safe b/c my husband doesn't work a 9 to 5 like I do and if the apt we are being given is a 2 bdrm. She said the "city has oofered you housing go see if the neighborhood is safe and if it's not find something on your own." Her response to the apt size was "go see it". Anyone who thinks they want to live in NY think again.

[Marvelous]

TW I am saddened to hear about the dilemma you have been faced with...I used to live in 57 Lincoln Road about 4 years ago, I think I remember you, did you live on the 4th or 5th flr on the opposite side where the fire was?

[S. Liu]

Fire, Eviction, Suicide, Need Help!

I am writing this on behalf of a family friend, Xing Ying Wu.

Xing Ying Wu is a 63 year-old female of Chinese ancestry. She had lived with her 83 year-old mother from 1998 until 8/1/2008 in an apartment in Brooklyn (57 Lincoln Road, Apartment B25, Brooklyn, New York 11225).

On 8/1/2008, there was a fire in the Brooklyn apartment building and all the tenants in the building were evacuated. The Red Cross arranged for both mother and daughter to stay at a hotel for 2 nights. After 2 nights, the N.Y. Department of Housing arranged to have daughter Xing Ying Wu stay at Cambridge Hotel (141 West 110th Street, New York, New York). However, Department of Housing later informed daughter Xing Ying Wu that she had to vacate Cambridge Hotel by 8/22/2008, because her name is not on the Brooklyn apartment lease.

On 8/12/2008, her 83 year-old mother was sent to Long Island Care Center. On 8/22/2008, her mother committed suicide. She committed suicide the day her 63 year-old daughter was asked to vacate Cambridge Hotel. Daughter Xing Ying Wu said her mother knew of the 8/22/2008 scheduled eviction, and worried that when she left Long Island Care Center, she too would be homeless.

After the N.Y. Department of Housing and the Cambridge Hotel learned of mother’s suicide, they agreed to allow daughter Xing Ying Wu stay until 9/1/2008, next Monday.

Daughter Xing Ying Wu needs help. She hopes that the Department of Housing can help her find an affordable place to live. She’s on a limited income, earning between $100 to $150 a week. Any help or advice you can provide to daughter Xing Ying Wu would be greatly appreciated.

[Joy]

Well, I lived there in the 50's through the 70's. My Dad owned J&S Hardware on Washington Ave. I believe there is a nail salon there now. The store was next to what used to be the Deli - many many years ago. Anyone remember those days back on Lincoln Road. Anyway - we lived in B33. As you walk into the courtyard it's on the 3rd floor on the right. I have very fond memories of growing up there and of my Dad's store. Which side of the building was the fire? And does anyone happen to know the person who lives in B33 now? I would love to come visit one of these days or get in contact with whoever is living in that apartment now. I have lots of memories of that area. I went to PS 92 and then to Lefferts Junior High and then to Erasmus. So sorry to hear about the tragic fire - it's the first I think I have ever heard - except that the deli had a fire when it was next to my Dad's store and did damage to his store.