East Rockaway alum dies in fire

Brian Lo, 21, of East Rockaway, died in a kitchen fire near the Cornell University campus shortly after midnight on May 6. Lo was a senior in the School of Hotel Administration.

Lo, an alumnus of East Rockaway High School class of 2007, was residing in one of the residence’s eight apartments, used to house 13 students from the university. The fire started in the common kitchen on the first floor, near where Lo’s apartment. The fire was ruled accidental.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this very difficult time,” said East Rockaway Superintendent Roseanne Melucci in a statement to the Herald. “Our crises team is in place for students who need to speak to someone about this tragedy.”

“I, too was deeply saddened, as was the rest of our staff, upon hearing of Brian’s passing,” said High School Principal Bill Fortgang. “Our condolences go to his entire family.”