Duct tape blamed for $2M Yonkers fire

Duct tape has been called the perfect mix of utility and cost, but a $2 roll of the sticky, flexible, tear-resistant, silvery-gray troubleshooting adhesive could cost two companies $2 million.

Erie Insurance Co. has sued Jan Realty Corp. of Pelham Manor and Total Realty Associates of Yonkers in federal court for alleged misuse of the fix-it-all after a fire broke out in a Yonkers apartment building.

Erie Insurance claims that it was duct tape that caused the disaster. Someone rigged electrical wiring in an apartment building at 89 Elm St., splicing and duct-taping an extension cord, plugging it into a living room outiét and running it through a wall and into a bedroom.

On Oct. 7, 2016, a fire broke out in the apartment and spread to the building next door at 91 Elm St., owned by El Rina Realty LLC. Seventy-three people were evacuated from three buildings, according to a Journal News story, and 89 and 91 Elm were left uninhabitable.

The duct-taped extension cord had been installed in violation of national and local electric codes, the complaint states, and it caused the fire.

Erie paid a $1,943,615 insurance claim to El Rina. Now it wants Jan Realty, the owner of 89 Elm St., and Total Realty, the property manager, to pay back that sum for allowing a hazardous condition.

The lawsuit accuses them of negligence.

"Of course the landlord denies any allegations of negligence in connection with the fire," attorney Nicholas Leo said on behalf of Jan Realty.

No one from Total Realty replied to a telephone message requesting comment.

"Extension cords must never be used in place of permanent wiring," Erie's complaint states.

"Extension cords should never be spliced together and duct-taped through a wall."