Sarah Powell-Shaff & Adam Shaff Fire Recovery Fund

On December 20th, 2024 a 5- alarm fire erupted in a 6 story apartment building in Sunnyside, Queens. The fire was started by a worker using an unauthorized blowtorch to heat lead paint on a metal closet door frame in a vacant apartment on the sixth floor. The flames spread and traveled. The inferno was finally brought under control at 4:35 p.m., according to the FDNY. No one died in the fire, but 450 residents from 107 apartments were forced to leave the building. Inspectors from the city’s Department of Buildings issued a Full Vacate Order for the entire premises after they observed severe fire damage throughout the complex, including windows and large sections of the roof removed, exposing interiors of the building to the elements, according to DOB officials. 198 firefighters and EMS personnel came to tackle the 5-alarm fire.

The fire has displaced around 450 people just days before Christmas.

Our dear friends, Adam Shaff and Sarah Powell-Shaff lived in a unit on the sixth floor. Sarah was home with their dog Zoey, and Adam was at work. Sarah and Zoey were alerted to leave the building and Adam rushed home.

Adam and Sarah are two of the kindest and hardworking people I know. Many call them friends and family and you can always count on them to be a part of the community. They had lived in Sunnyside for a number of years and even in a different unit in their building. Adam and Sarah would give someone the shirts off their back. If you've ever met Adam and Sarah, you know what I am talking about. They give back... and now it's our turn to give back to them.

With their lives up in the air, please consider helping Adam, Sarah, and their dog Zoey during this time.

I'll keep this updated with any specific needs as we find out more.