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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.
Mayor Sharon Owens has pledged legal action against the owners, citing years of unaddressed code violations, including broken security doors, faulty safety lights, and a lack of certified fire alarms and sprinklers. The property, Syracuse’s largest apartment complex with nearly 700 units, has been in financial and legal trouble since its 2018 sale to a California-based firm. As detailed by Spectrum News, ongoing issues include chronic heating problems, water leaks, trash buildup, and security lapses that have led to squatting.
The city is preparing to return to court and is seeking receivership and assistance from the New York Attorney General. Meanwhile, the American Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter for displaced residents at Onondaga Community College. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and city officials say Building 3 will stay closed until it is deemed safe.