The Nob Hill Apartment complex in Syracuse is under round-the-clock private security after a fatal fire early Saturday (February 28), which left two people dead and over 50 residents displaced. According to Syracuse.com, Destra Management LLC, the building’s operator, announced the 24/7 security requirement following city fire officials’ orders.
The fire broke out in Building 3 at 211 Lafayette Road just after 4 a.m., with firefighters encountering heavy smoke and flames fueled by trash, tires, and automotive parts inside a first-floor apartment. Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds said strong winds caused “wind-driven, blowtorch conditions,” making escape and rescue difficult. Eleven people were rescued, but one person was found dead in the unit where the fire started, and a second body was discovered elsewhere in the building. The second victim’s cause of death is still under investigation, according to WSYR-TV.
The city’s code enforcement team has declared Building 3 unfit for occupancy, which means displaced residents cannot return, even briefly, to collect their belongings. Destra Management says it is waiting for further instructions from the city regarding access for tenants. Many residents, including families and people needing medications, have expressed frustration over not being allowed back in, also reported by WSYR-TV…