Apartment Owner Cited For Violations In Allston Fire That Killed BU Student
BOSTON (CBS) –For one Boston University student, this week's fatal fire at an off-campus Allston apartment bring backs haunting memories.
Josh Goldenberg was critically injured after he jumped from the window of his third-floor attic apartment to escape a fire.
One year later and right across the street, B.U. senior Bin-land Lee was killed in the very same situation. She was trapped in her third floor apartment when the house on Linden Street burned down Sunday morning. In both cases, there were no doors leading from their apartments to the outside.
"It's very possible any time with many houses and a lot of people," says Goldberg. "I think how lucky I am that I came away."
Goldenberg's apartment house burned down in January of 2012. He broke several bones, and was in a coma for 10 days. His long journey to recovery leaves him with slurred speech and double vision. "
I have a brain injury, and I broke my right orbital bone, and I have a plate right here on my face," he says.
In the more recent fire, Boston's Department of Inspectional Services served the landlord with several violation notices. Anna Belokurova was cited for having an illegal basement apartment and for overcrowding.
Nineteen people lived in the two-unit home, which had not been inspected in more than 20 years.
A new city ordinance takes effect Wednesday that will require the city to inspect all rental properties at least once every five years.
"It's just unfortunate these landlords are taking advantage of our students in certain areas of the city," says Mayor Tom Menino.
City crews went door-to-door Tuesday posting flyers encouraging tenants to call for inspections.
