By Joy Bergmann
A man in his 70s died at the scene of a fire that broke out at 10:17 am Monday morning at 166 W. 87th street, NYPD officials said. Two other people were slightly injured, FDNY officials said.
Sixty firefighters responded to the blaze on the third floor of the 9-story building known as Capitol Hall, a permanent supportive residence operated by Goddard Riverside, with 202 single-occupancy units serving about 200 residents who were formerly homeless or at risk for homelessness. Capitol Hall provides in-house services such as case management, social services and health care to its residents. Goddard Riverside told WSR that the fire was contained to the victim’s room and that no other residents had been displaced. Goddard Riverside is not currently releasing the name of the victim.
“Capitol Hall is a tight-knit community and everyone here feels this loss deeply. We will offer support and counseling to staff and tenants alike. Our hearts also go out to the victim’s family and friends,” said Goddard Riverside Executive Director Roderick Jones.
The FDNY reported the fire as under control as of 10:55 am. The cause is still under investigation.
Photos by Carol Tannenhauser
