But for those who lived in the Mansion neighborhood apartments, the impact is far from finished.
Brian Fordham, 50, had lived at 110 Grand Street for six years before he woke up to his apartment burning. He’s now living at a hotel with his two cats, and doubts he’ll find an affordable place to live anytime soon.
“It’s going to take months,” he said. “It could be a year.”
Fordham, 50, is one of at least 17 people displaced by the fire. The Red Cross has offered assistance to those 17, including both a five and seven-year-old child, according to spokesperson Mary Alive Molgard. Numerous fundraisers have also been set up for displaced residents online.
Albany Fire Chief Joseph Gregory said a city investigation into the cause and origin of the fire was still underway. Records show several notices of violation at 112 Grand St., including some issued only a week before the fire. Director of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance Rick LaJoy said both 114 and 110 Grand St. had recent violations (112 Grand St. is vacant), with 110 Grand St. standing out as a “problem property.”
“There was just no compliance at all with that owner,” he said.
So far, investigators have not said where the fire started or offered an explanation about a possible cause.
For Fordham, some difficulties…
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