Migrants found living in illegally converted building in the Bronx

NEW YORK — More asylum seekers were found living in an illegally converted building in the Bronx on Wednesday.

This is the second time this week that migrants have been found staying in illegal sleeping quarters.

Department of Buildings inspectors were called to 305 East Kingsbridge Rd. on Wednesday afternoon for reports of a two-story building illegally converted to house people.

When inspectors arrived, they say they found one of the commercial stores in the building had 34 beds on the first floor and 11 beds in the cellar tightly packed together.

In addition to that, they say they found extension cords, e-bikes, space heaters and hot plates throughout both floors.

When fire officials arrived, they came upon a small number of people believed to be migrants.

The DOB issued a vacate order for the store due to hazardous conditions, lack of natural light and ventilation, and severe crowding.

The owner of the Bronx building told CBS New York he is the owner of the Queens building where dozens of migrants were also being illegally housed in the basement of a furniture store. The landlord was issued two violations and is facing thousands of dollars in fines for that incident.

He is facing two additional violations in the Bronx:  one for failing to maintain the building, the other for occupying the building contrary to city records.

As far as the people who were staying in the Bronx building, officials say they are being taken care of by the city’s Office of Emergency Management.