East Harlemite Burned Battling Fire In Supportive Housing: FDNY

HARLEM, NY — An East Harlem supportive housing resident was hospitalized Wednesday after he burned his feet putting out a fire in his bathroom, according to officials and the facility.

A lit cigarette sparked the bathroom blaze inside the Abraham Residence III at 336 E. 96th St. soon before 8:55 a.m., said the FDNY and a facility spokesperson.

Medics rushed the person, who is expected to survive, to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, officials said.

The Abraham Residence III is a 68-bed Single Room Occupancy for formerly homeless people with psychiatric disabilities run by the Jewish Board of Family and Children Services.

"Thankfully, no other residents or staff were injured," a spokesperson said, "and the facility is continuing to operate."

Smoking is not allowed in the building, the spokesperson noted.

The lot — featured in a New York Times article from 2013 about developers who bet on East Harlem — has racked up dozens of violations from two city agencies that oversee New York City buildings and homes.

There are 25 open violations, five immediately hazardous listed with the Housing Preservation and Development department that include roach infestations, a broken sink, visible mold and mice.

Buildings department records show the Abraham Residence has seven open violations and 32 complaints logged for issues that include a broken elevator and a sidewalk shed that collapsed because of wind.

A spokesperson told Patch the facility is in the middle of a $10.5 million renovation to resolve outstanding issues.