From The Journal News Opinion Page
Readers were enraged by a story of a fire in Monsey that officials warned could have endangered the lives of firefighters due to an illegal use of the building.
Firefighters trying to tackle flames and smoke shooting from a large Calvert Drive apartment building were blocked from entering the complex by dozens of boxes stored in a warehouse space, according to authorities.
The commercial warehousing in the building’s basement storage area turned out to be illegal.
“It is time to prosecute those who put the lives of our firefighters and innocent children at risk. I hope there is a police investigation,” wrote Ellyn Gail Egenberg.
Authorities said boxes blocked off doors in rooms filled with stored items, forcing firefighters — wearing heavy gear in extreme heat — to work their way into the building and to the basement, where the fire started.
Read the full Journal commentary here.