Displaced Yorkville Resident Launches Fundraiser to Aid Neighbors After Deadly Fire

An Upper East Side resident who was displaced following the harrowing and fatal three-alarm fire that engulfed her Yorkville apartment building has started a fundraiser to help her fellow tenants get back on their feet.

Advertisement

Natalie Hofstad launched a GoFundMe campaign last week for those impacted by the December 2 fire at 526 East 82nd Street (between East End and York avenues). One resident was killed in the blaze, while six firefighters were injured, the FDNY said at the time. Additionally, more than 20 people were displaced following the fire, which FDNY officials said was caused by “electrical/wiring.”

#FDNY Fire Marshals have determined the cause of a fatal 3-alarm fire that occurred on December 2 at 526 E 82 Street in Manhattan is electrical/wiring. pic.twitter.com/VczqlLI48S

— FDNY (@FDNY) December 6, 2024

“New Yorkers are no strangers to tragedy. We know what it is to start over, rebuild and come together to help others in need,” Hofstad wrote on the GoFundMe page. “As a tenant of 526 East 82nd, I’m asking you to please join in supporting us during this difficult time. Proceeds will be distributed to the tenants of the building who have all been displaced from their homes.”

As of writing, $1,610 has been raised out of a goal of $46,000. East Side Feed reached out to Hofstad via email to ask about how the money will be spent and divided among the tenants but received no reply by press time.

Advertisement

Those impacted by the fire are also being assisted by the American Red Cross.

“After the fire, the American Red Cross has registered 28 households, including 40 individuals (three older adults and two children) and four cats, for emergency assistance,” Frederic Klein, a Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross told East Side Feed. “This assistance includes temporary lodging, financial assistance, individual disaster care (health services, mental health support, and spiritual care), support coordinating retrieval of belongings, guidance on housing options, and referrals to nonprofit and/or government partners to assist with longer-term recovery needs.”

Hofstad mentioned in her post that the person who died in the fire was “a longtime resident of the neighborhood” named Sonia. When asked if the deceased had been identified, the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (DCPI) told East Side Feed on Tuesday that there have been no updates to the case, and that the victim is still listed as Jane Doe.

Have a news tip? Send it to us here!