Fire Hazard and Air Pollution
About three weeks ago a neighbor whose side yard is shares a fence with the rear of my backyard began to set fires in his backyard. There was a wooden fence on his side and through it I could see flames with embers jumping up to the trees above. Like many Brooklyn backyards that are green there are trees everywhere making it a little dense forest . He has been doing this 3-4 times a week and the fires rage for up to four hours.
I have called 311 and filed complaint with the Building Department because I believe he is violating zoning laws. It looks like he set up his welder shop in his back yard. The smoke is so thick that it is affecting air quality. Since the initial complaints he took down the fence and built a low CMU structure with a metal grille which now holds the fire., it’s footprint is about 4′-0″ x 6′-0″ I guess it is a makeshift incinerator. He also cut down the branches and even went into a neighbor’s yard (who doesn’t live there and rents the property) and cut back their trees . He also removed the wooden fence that was in the rear of my yard/ his side yard.
In the complaint I filed I did explain that the fires were near wooden fences and tree branches and that embers were flying high so all of this activity came after that complaint. However it also looks like this fire burning situation is going to persist because he has now built that incinerator. He has a sign on the front of the house that he is a welder and I suspect he has moved his welding business to his backyard. I plan to call the building department again .
Who can I call about the pollution and air quality now impacted by the continuous burning? Any advice on how to proceed? Yes, I could call 911 but given the recent events I’d rather deal with agencies that can lock this down permanently, rather than cops that will show up and be useless or dangerous, my 2 cents. Also, is there a way to involve the fire department ?
Guest User | 5 years ago
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6 replies
mozeeatupu | 5 years ago
>propane is ok. no more than two 20 lb bottles in the city.
That’s only true for 1 or 2 family homes, not multiple dwellings.
Guest User | 5 years ago
Thank you so much. Yes it’s unbelievable…the utter cluelessness still shocks me. It’s all been a bit much lately to have neighbors acting in a negligent manner on top of it….and now curfew to top it off. Thank you all for the feedback!
Chas373 | 5 years ago
Fire Dept and as Resident2 suggested go visit the local firehouse and explain. That sounds like the best plan. The other Buiilding dept. solutions /air quality etc could get lost in all that bureaucracy. Fire Dept doesnt waste time as their own lives are at stake when fighting any fire. The stupidity of people who are not from NYC originally and act as though they live on an acre in the suburbs with no fire hazards never ceases to amaze.
resident2 | 5 years ago
I find a personal visit to your local FDNY Fire House for a neighborly chat makes a huge difference with this kind of issue.
stevecym | 5 years ago
@JH, propane is ok. no more than two 20 lb bottles in the city.
JohnHancock | 5 years ago
Yes, call the FDNY. You cannot burn stuff in your backyard. Only a BBQ but not propane and it can’t be close to the house. They will respond immediately