Violations alleged at building where 5 died in fire

The realty company that owns a Brooklyn building where five Guatemalan immigrants died in an arson fire late last month was accused by the Department of Buildings of illegally subdividing it, officials said Friday.

Notice of three violations were served on 20-35 86th Street Realty LLC, said Tony Sclafani, a spokesman for the department. Sclafani said that the violations - illegal alterations, work without a permit and failure to provide two means of exit - didn't accuse the owner of complicity in the deaths. If proved, the violations carry maximum $25,000 in fines.

Vasilious Gerazounis of New Hyde Park is reported to be the principal of the company. Reached by Newsday at his home Friday, Gerazounis said he wasn't aware of the notice of violations and declined to comment.

City officials said that the building at 20-33 86th St. in Bensonhurst, scene of the Jan. 30 fire, had been illegally converted to apartments on the second and third floors. The third floor had one two-bedroom unit that was converted into four separate units, said department spokesman Tony Sclafani.

Investigators also found illegal partitions erected and two doors with locks on them, Sclafani said.

"These illegal partitions left the two units in front [of the building] with only one means of egress, which would have been the stairwell," Sclafani alleged.

"Property owners must understand they have a responsibility to maintain their property in a safe manner, and an illegal conversion can put people's lives in serious danger," said Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri.

Five residents died after illegal Guatemalan immigrant Daniel Ignacio allegedly set the fire in a baby carriage in the stairway of the structure. Police said he had been drinking and was angered about the carriage being near the front door.