Oak St. Home Passed Inspection Based on 'Erroneous Information'

An Oak Street home that was issued a passing fire inspection last year based on "erroneous information" under the old building department administration, according to a code enforcement report.

Inspectors declared the building, at 142 Oak St., clear of any fire violations when they inspected the home in April of 2010.

A memo from Code Enforcement Director Christopher Steers says the home was permitted for three families, but between four and seven families were actually living there as of Monday, when a fire burned through the structure and left 20 people homeless.

The fire, which was called in at 2:47 a.m., required a significant amount of resources from the Port Chester Fire Department and surrounding towns. More than 40 village firefighters battled the blaze at the scene, and crews from the Village of Mamaroneck and Rye provided standby coverage in Port Chester for the duration.

Here's an excerpt from the memo:

The initial fire inspection was passed in April of 2010. We found out today that it was passed based on erroneous information received from the regarding permits and the legality of use. The Certificate of Compliance that was issued based on the erroneous information has been voided effective today. The property is a non-conforming three-family that is being used as an unlawful four-seven family.

Inspectors also found a long list of violations, including exposed and makeshift electrical wiring, and fuel-burning sources that weren't properly vented. Click here to read details about the violations and to view a PDF copy of the code enforcement memo.

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