Dozens of people, believed to be migrants, found living in cramped South Richmond Hill cellar

Dozens of people, believed to be migrants, were found living illegally inside a commercial business in South Richmond Hill on Monday afternoon.

The cellar dwellers were discovered inside an illegal conversion of a 2-story, mixed-use building on Liberty Avenue in South Richmond Hill, according to the city’s Department of Buildings. DOB Inspectors were called to the scene at 132-03 Liberty Ave. by FDNY first responders, after fire prevention inspectors acting on a tip found the people living in cramped and illegal conditions.

The inspectors found that the first-floor commercial space in the building and the cellar had been illegally converted into sleeping quarters, with 14 bunk beds and 13 more beds packed tightly on both floors. They also discovered plumbing work had been performed in the building without proper permits. In addition, the cellar level was found to have inadequate egress for the people sleeping there. With no ventilation nor natural light.

As a result, DOB issued a Full Vacate Order for the first floor and cellar of the building, due to severe overcrowding and hazardous fire trap conditions found in the building. The DOB issued two violations to the landlord, 132003 Liberty Avenue Management Corp. for illegal work without a permit, and for occupying the building contrary to city records.

The people living inside the building were reportedly moved to a migrant shelter in the Bronx after DOB issued a vacate order due to overcrowding and unsafe conditions found in the cellar. The FDNY found numerous fire hazards, and NYCEM referred people in need to further assistance.

QNS reached out to the Mayor’s Office and is awaiting a response.