FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2005

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is urging consumers who had items in Metropolitan Security Storage, to contact the DCA by calling 311. The storage warehouse destroyed by a fire last evening and located at 495 Walton Avenue in the Bronx, is a licensed storage facility, and the DCA has authority to order the company to pay back assessed damages to consumers as well as seek reimbursement through the company's bond, if necessary.

The DCA is reaching out to the principals of the business to determine means of reimbursement. In the meantime, those who would like to file a complaint should call 311, and should have all proper receipts and documentation of items in the storage facility.

DCA licenses more than 60,000 businesses in 55 different categories citywide. For more information, call 311 or file a complaint online at www.nyc.gov/consumers.