Crime & Safety

Renovations At Stamford Home Before The Fire

Renovations in 2267 Shippan Ave., coupled with the recent revelation that the home lacked a smoke detection system may have played a role in the Christmas morning tragedy.

Much of the several days ago has been focused on the nature of the repairs and renovations that the house was undergoing as of Dec. 25, 2011.

"The entire second floor was being renovated... the house was under construction," Stamford Director of Operations Ernie Orgera said at a recent . Orgera stated that under local law, the second floor could not be occupied during its renovation phase until it received a certificate of approval, which it did not have at the time of the fire.

"What happens when you undertake a renovation in the city of Stamford is you submit plans, and as work progresses, inspections are made periodically. At the end of those inspections, you call in for a final inspection, and if everything meets the Connecticut Building and Safety Code, you'll get approval to move in," Mayor Michael Pavia announced on Tuesday.

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Neither Pavia nor fire investigators are certain if the mansion had a smoke detection system when they moved in a year ago, and even if the home did not, it would have been legal for its occupants to move in.

"They bought an existing home...there is no requirement for smoke detectors to be installed," Mayor Pavia said.

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All renovation work on the home was being done by Badger's boyfriend Michael Borcina, 52, president of Tiberias Construction Inc., and according to Acting Fire Chief Antonio Conte, was responsible for discarding the embers, which started the fire.

While fire investigators are uncertain if any occupants were living on the second floor while it was being renovated, the home  is reported to have been built with balloon construction that of the fire. Also, Michael Borcina was not registered as a building contractor in CT as of Dec. 25, according to a report by CBS News:

"The Department of Consumer Protection said its records show neither Borcina nor his company, Tiberias Construction Inc., are currently registered to perform home improvement work in Connecticut. Registration is required by state law and provides certain contractual rights to the consumer, according to the department."

In other media outlets, Michael Borcina stated that he is trying to remain positive throughout this week's ordeal, and has spoken to Badger since the fire.

At Tuesday's conference, Pavia stated that Borcina's paperwork as a contractor was up-to-date, as was the paperwork for the house, which was several months into its renovation. References to Tiberias Construction Inc.'s work in New York is listed on the company's website:

“Mike has done a lot of work on my Park Avenue apartment, he has incredible precision is extremely creative and takes his work very seriously. I can’t imagine hiring anybody else to do work for me.”

The house at 2267 Shippan Ave. had not yet received its final inspection, Orgera told the press on Tuesday.


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