By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
EAST VILLAGE — The blaze that engulfed the roof of a building on East Houston Street last week was sparked by the use of unapproved electrical wiring, fire officials said Wednesday.
The four-alarm fire tore across the roof of a five-story residential building at the corner of Avenue A last Thursday, injuring eight firefighters and forcing residents to evacuate their apartments.
The blaze ignited accidently by what appears to be an electrical adapter and extension cord that was connected to tube lighting on the roof, according to a photo released by the FDNY.
More than 100 firefighters battled the July 8 fire, which witnesses said began on a corner of the building and quickly spread across the entire rooftop.
Damage from the inferno has prevented residents from returning to their homes, and at least one business on Houston Street closed indefinitely following the fire.