If you had walked into 66 W. Gun Hill Rd. early last week, you would have seen the aftermath of a disaster — clouds of smoke and dust everywhere, apartments covered in black rubble, and several tenants in the process of moving into emergency housing.

At the crack of dawn of the previous morning, this apartment building in the Knox-Gates section of Norwood was the site of a 3-alarm electrical fire. It took around 140 firefighters more than three hours to put it out. Fortunately, only one firefighter and one civilian were treated at North Central Bronx Hospital for minor injuries, most likely due to smoke inhalation.

Still, the fire displaced several residents, some indefinitely, and the damage to the building could run up to $1 million.

A pair of apartments on the sixth floor, closest to where the fire first broke out at about 6 a.m., were completely demolished. The building is also suffering from a partial roof collapse and severe water damage. The Fire Department says it is still investigating the cause of the fire.

According to Red Cross Communications Officer Michael de Vulpillieres, 24 apartments at the 48-unit apartment building were either directly affected by the fire or experienced water-related damages. A total of 16 apartments were temporarily vacated due to water damages and will remain unoccupied for an undetermined amount of time. An additional six units were only slightly affected or could not be accessed because the residents were not home.

“We are currently providing temporary housing to eight families, although we offered services to all residents,” De Vulpillieres said. “We have invited anyone affected, even indirectly, to come to our office in midtown to meet with case workers who will help them get through the next steps.”

Although the fire itself destroyed several apartments, many tenants claimed the Fire Department actually caused the most damage while attempting to extinguish the blaze.

“The Fire Department destroyed everything in sight,” said Gilbert Serrano, a current tenant. “I know that there are more people suffering from water damage than from the fire.”

“The Fire Department destroyed a lot of the building,” said Cin Gjonaj, whose family owns the building. “They didn’t ask questions. But you can’t really blame them, since their sole purpose was to put out the fire.”

A tenant on the sixth floor, who declined to give his name, said his apartment sustained some of the worst damage and was forced to vacate.

“Our kitchen was completely destroyed,” he said. “The Fire Department had to come in and poke a lot of holes in our ceiling. We can’t stay here. They said it could take three to six months before I can move back in.”

Gjonaj estimates the cost of the damage to be $1 million, which, he said, insurance is supposed to cover. He and his associates have already hired a company to clean up the damage and contractors to cover up the leaks to prevent any damage from spreading.

Most residents were impressed with the immediate relief efforts.

“I have to say, the response time for help was immediate,” said Serrano. “The Red Cross and contractors showed up almost immediately and the cleaning crew showed up late Monday.”

Residents provided with temporary housing will be placed in a local hotel close to the affected residence, De Vulpillieres said. The Red Cross will also provide funds to those who have lost food and clothing in the fire and will help any permanently displaced families find new homes.

Although the building has received its share of complaints over the years, nothing recent appeared to directly relate to the fire.

Between November 5, 2012 and April 15 of this year, a total of 31 complaints were filed by residents of the building — 27 pertain to heating or hot water service.

CAP: The Buildings Department and Red Cross left notices on apartments that had to be evacuated at 66 W. Gun Hill Rd.
Photo by Hugh Thornhill