NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 6, 2026) — New Rochelle firefighters responded to a commercial alarm at 10 Cottage Place at 8:47 p.m. Thursday for reports of haze in the garage area with no visible fire, according to NRFD Chief Andrew Sandor.
The 24-story building with about eight units per floor experienced an electrical panel issue that triggered the alarm. The entire building is electric, leaving residents without power for heating and cooking overnight. No power meant no heat in the apartments and food going bad in refrigerators, with children and elderly people among those affected.
Engine 21 remained on scene until Consolidated Edison arrived. The building operated on generator power while Con Ed made repairs. Power was fully restored around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Con Ed had been working at the scene since 7 p.m. Thursday and continued into the following morning. The new building has been having issues with its heating system.
The building superintendent speaks no English, which made communication with firefighters and some residents impossible, according to residents.
News 12 reported on ongoing heating problems at Westview Apartments in New Rochelle, a privately owned, rent-stabilized building that opened in 2024. Residents have faced a heating crisis, with the boiler under repair and tenants provided electric heating units in the meantime, leading to skyrocketing electric bills.
One resident, Steven, a firefighter, told News 12 his electric bill exceeds $1,000 a month and his one-year-old son is sick every day. Another resident, Marita, told News 12 her bill is now over $600 monthly.
Front Door Management, which runs the building, told News 12 it believes thermostat tampering may be contributing to the issue. An email from the building’s superintendent stated the boiler is being repaired and electric heating units were provided.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
I didn’t receive an electric heating unit and I have 3 kids. It was freezing in my unit to say the least.