RICHMOND HILL, Queens (PIX11) – An onsite building inspection in Queens led to the discovery of 87 people living in a basement on Monday, according to law enforcement sources.
The incident happened around 11:40 p.m. at 132-03 Liberty Ave. in Richmond Hill, sources told PIX11 News. The FDNY arrived at the building to conduct an onsite inspection. They entered the basement and found 87 people living there, according to sources.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the FDNY to conduct an onsite inspection at the location. PIX11 News reached out to the FDNY for comment.
The people were transported to a migrant shelter in the Bronx, sources said. The Office of Emergency Management confirmed to PIX11 News that it responded to the scene.
The business owner, 47-year-old Ebou Sarr, told PIX11 News on Tuesday that he was charging migrants $300 a month to live in the building. He said most of the migrants are from Senegal, and that he was providing them with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Sarr also said he’s looking at commercial properties to help them find a place to live. Officials have not confirmed if the people living in the basement were migrants.
The backyard of the building was filled with what appeared to be delivery bikes, photos from the scene show.
