The Bronx, N.Y. — Residents of the Boston Secor Houses and local activists gathered Saturday to demand accountability from Wavecrest Management and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) following a deadly gas explosion that occurred last month. The incident, which took place on Jan. 24, highlighted persistent safety issues within public housing.
The explosion rattled the Eastchester community shortly after midnight, engulfing ten apartments on the 15th and 16th floors in flames just moments after firefighters responded to reports of a gas odor. Ramona Brown, a 17-year resident who was working from home, described the frightening moment as akin to a “sonic boom.” She and more than 100 other families were forced to evacuate their homes amid frigid temperatures. Tragically, Ronald McCallister was pronounced dead at the scene, while several others sustained injuries.
In the wake of the tragedy, residents have raised questions about the conditions leading up to the explosion. Wavecrest Management issued a statement attributing the incident to a stove that had been recently removed. Days later, Samuel Calderon was arrested and charged with multiple counts, including murder and manslaughter.
Brown voiced her uncertainty about the future, saying, “I’m displaced from my home. It was a traumatic experience, and all of the stories are not adding up.” She expressed frustration over ongoing issues such as heating and water in the building. “We had an explosion, on top of renovations, and they were doing all this drilling… It’s unsafe for me to reside in,” she added.
Despite residents’ concerns, Wavecrest Management maintained that there have been no gas leak complaints filed in the last three years. The company stated that Con Edison inspected the building following the explosion and found no active gas leaks, emphasizing their commitment to resident safety and confirming that heating is operational.
Thea, an activist with the grassroots organization Dare to Struggle, expressed solidarity with the displaced residents, alleging that NYCHA has failed to address necessary repairs. “This is part of a larger plan to privatize these housing projects and push people out,” she claimed.
With many feeling unsafe returning home, Brown declared, “I’m not going back there any longer; psychologically I just can’t do it.” In response to the urgent needs of affected families, the Red Cross has registered 121 households for emergency assistance, which includes financial and recovery support.
For residents in need of accommodations, building management has been urged to assist those requiring lodging. The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved safety measures and accountability within public housing systems, as residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of the explosion.