Site Of Apartment Fire Full Of Safety Violations: County

SPRING VALLEY, NY — The Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes is investigating more than 100 building safety and code violations at Country Village Towers, the building at 101 Kennedy Drive where a fire broke out March 9, trapping people inside and requiring firefighters to rescue a toddler from a seventh-floor apartment. SEE:

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Right off the bat, inspectors noted the fire alarm system didn't work. No audio or visual alarm had sounded. Then they discovered a lot more, county officials said. At the top of the list:

• No fire extinguishers in hallways (one is required every 75 feet)
• Combustible materials in hallways
• Flammable caulking
• Corroded fire pump
• Exposed wires throughout the building
• Faulty smoke alarms & CO2 detectors
• Doors not closing properly
• No elevator certificate of inspection

None of the inspected units had smoke alarms in each bedroom, as required, and of all the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested nearly all failed, didn’t activate, and were outdated. Other hazards spotted included deteriorating stairways and balconies, and black mold.

"I’m outraged knowing this fire could have easily taken a turn for the worst claiming who knows how many lives," said County Executive Ed Day. "It’s properties like Country Village Towers that underline exactly why New York State has directed my administration to assume full control of the Building Department in the Village of Spring Valley."

It's almost a year since the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley was destroyed in a massive blaze that killed firefighter Jared Lloyd and 79-year-old resident Oliver Hueston and injured about a dozen people. More than 100 people had to be saved. Lloyd, 35, was rescuing residents. He sent out a Mayday call from an upper floor before it collapsed, but he could not be reached.

A criminal probe into the Evergreen Court fire's origins has resulted in the indictment of six people including the then-head of Spring Valley's building department and one of its inspectors. A day later, the New York State Department of State basically deputized the county to handle code inspections and enforcement for the village, which the state had already been monitoring. SEE: Village Hall Raided In Investigation Of Fatal Fire.

After the March 9 fire, county inspectors found 25 illegally converted apartments with living and dining rooms transformed into makeshift bedrooms at Country Village Towers; and officials said that number could increase because at least 19 apartments were locked and inspectors were unable to get in.

Not only did the inspectors find many safety and code violations, but a look at the records revealed exactly the kind of negligence that the new office is meant to fix, county officials said.

The last inspection performed at Country Village Towers was in 2019 with 11 violations noted. However, the property was not reinspected to ensure the violations were remedied — and it appears none of them ever were, county officials said.

For example, the problems listed in 2019 include electrical hazards throughout the building, apartment and stairwell doors not latching properly, no elevator inspection and issues with smoke and fire alarms.

“One thing is certain following this current investigation — it will take time for my office to correct years, really decades, of mismanagement and negligence," said Office of Buildings and Codes Director Ed Markunas. "Failing to conduct a follow-up inspection in 2019 on the violations discovered is a failure to protect the health and safety of residents, visitors, and first responders. We will hold this property owner responsible and make sure these egregious violations are remedied immediately."

The owner of record is Country Village Towers Corp., county officials said.

A moratorium imposed by the new Office of Buildings and Codes ended Tuesday. It had been imposed to give officials a little time to work through the backlog of outstanding inspections and resolve issues that pose an imminent threat to life, health, and safety.

The Office requests that the public submit complaints regarding Building and Code violations within the Village of Spring Valley to 845-364-3700 or by email to BuildingsAndCodes@co.rockland.ny.us.

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