DOB: Brooklyn Home Had Illegal Doors Installed Prior To Fatal Fire

The city says an illegal Brooklyn boarding house that went up in flames had as many as 10 people living inside.

The Department of Buildings says despite complaints filed against 16 Covert Street for illegal conversions, inspectors found no evidence of illegal wall construction. However, officials say the

owner did break the rules by installing doors into existing walls to create separate units.

The fire department says residents tried to put out the flames themselves rather than calling the fire department right away.

The fire eventually spread to three adjacent buildings killing Gregory "Uncle Jiggs" Atkinson, 44, and Frank Edwards, 56.

Investigators believe a hot plate caused the fire.

Residents say there were no smoke alarms in the building.