40 migrants found in South Richmond Hill basement NBC New York [Video]

FDNY fire prevention inspectors checking a tip about a collection of e-bike batteries posing a potential hazard, discovered 40 migrants sleeping in a Queens basement behind a furniture store, according to three city officials and the landlord himself.

Upon entry to investigate the reported fire risk at the South Richmond Hill home on Liberty Avenue, inspectors were surprised to find the migrants in cramped conditions, the officials said.

Further investigation revealed that 74 individuals had been living in the basement, reportedly sleeping in shifts to accommodate everyone, according to the landlord, who spoke with NBC New York.

According to the Department of Buildings, when DOB inspectors arrived on scene, they “found that the first floor commercial space in the building and the cellar had been illegally converted into sleeping quarters, with 14 bunk beds and 13 bed tightly packed on both floors.” Additionally, inspectors found that plumbing work was done …