Second Morris Park Blaze In January
YourNabe.com 1/22/09
Fires
continue to plague Community Board 11, as the
second fire in January displaces families from
their home.
According to reports from the fire department,
the Sunday, January 18 fire began at 1740
Holland Avenue on Sunday, January 18, at 2:38
p.m. The fire spread through the ground floor of
the 3-story structure, including a clothing
store, but was brought under control by 3:29
p.m., with Engine 90 and Ladder 41 the first to
respond.
The cause of the fire is currently under
investigation, and no injuries were sustained,
but residents of the building, including a
second floor tenant and her seven children were
vacated from their home.
“It is this time of year when electrical fires
become more common with the space heaters during
the winter months,” said Joe Bombace, member of
CB 11. “This fire is a tragedy any way you look
at it.”
This is the second fire
this month in the neighborhood. The two alarm
fire occurred on Saturday, January 3, at 728 Van
Buren Avenue.
The community gathered together to help the
victims of the Van Buren fire, whose homes were
completely destroyed. Residents such as 8th
grade Sandra Huerta had to reside in the
fire-damaged rubble while families searched for
a new home.
“It’s really bad. The living room is
completely burned and so is the kitchen, and we have to move
now,” said Huerta, a student at Aspire Preparatory School,
located 2441 Wallace Avenue.
The school took up a collection, led by Irene Rukaj and staff,
to help their fellow classmate and her family, and asks anyone
wishing to donate items to deliver then to the school’s office.
“We are going to take care of Sandra and her family. People in
crisis tend to be humble and don’t know who to ask for help,”
said Rukaj. “Instead we are asking people to help, this is a
disaster that could happen to anybody, and every little bit
counts.”
Other support was found through St. Dominic’s Church, 1739
Unionport Road, for Van Buren fire victim and employee Lee
D’Eletto and family. Additionally, the City Island community
came together for a ‘fire shower’ to assist the victims of the
240 City Island Avenue fire, on Tuesday, January 6.
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