A fast-moving, three-alarm fire broke out in the third floor of a house on 56th Street in Brooklyn. A man was found dead behind the house and neighbors tell WPIX that they have complained about the abandoned house, which apparently had been occupied by squatters, "This building has been abandoned for a very long time and they have come in, making it their home." The fire also spreading to other houses, forcing other families to evacuate. Eight firefighters suffered minor injuries. more ›

We're guessing that somewhere in the Squatter's Handbook it says something about keeping quiet, not complaining, laying low... that sort of thing. The NY Post reports on one man who found himself a nice $2,500/month Williamsburg apartment... for free, because he didn't, like, tell anyone he was moving in. They report, the "squatter felt so at home that he called the city to complain about the heat," or lack thereof. When the NYPD showed up Tuesday, he started punching and kicking them! And as a grand finale to his squatting stint, while being taken away, he told the landlord that he was going to fucking kill him. more ›

If you haven't heard of the Rat-Squirrel House in Cobble Hill, Lost City has a complete history of the 149 Kane Street residence, with a brand new update. The home was built in 1901 but lost its grandeur and is now an eyesore for locals—housing "squirrels, pigeons, (maybe rats) and one old woman who would not leave and would not fix the place up" (despite DOB complaints and vacate orders). On Wednesday, authorities busted down the front door to find a squatter amongst mountains of trash; the old woman, Arlene Karlsen, was allegedly living in another building she owns in the neighborhood. According to a witness, she was "given the choice of being arrested or taken to the hospital. She left in an ambulance." Sad, indeed. The future of the building is uncertain, as it's part of the Cobble Hill landmark district which makes it difficult to tear down even though it may be beyond repair. Hey gutter punks, now that the heat's on you in Williamsburg, maybe it's time to head to Brownstone Brooklyn. more ›

Yesterday, separate fires in Harlem and in the Bronx each claimed a life. more ›