Hewlett fire victims receive help

Two days after a Valentine’s Day fire tore through residences and businesses at 1435-1441 Broadway in Hewlett, Elizabeth Mero stood outside her scorched apartment amid large black plastic bags full of possessions she had salvaged, listening to comforting words from a friend as tears streamed down her face.

Her husband, Yover Suarez, inspected a coat encased in a dry-cleaning bag that was covered with black soot.

Mero, the owner since August 2010 of the Hewlett Café, at 1441 Broadway, said that, fortunately, the café suffered almost no fire damage despite being directly below the burned apartments. “This is my investment,” she said, looking dejectedly at the restaurant.

Just five months ago, Mero moved to Hewlett from New York City with her husband and two dogs to be closer to her business. They spent three nights at the Best Western in Rockville Centre after the fire, compliments of the Red Cross, but Mero didn’t know where she would go now. “We’ve gotten clothes and food and the Red Cross has been very helpful, but what’s next?” she asked. “I have family in Bay Shore, but with my two dogs I can’t go many places, and they were the only things worth saving.”

Red Cross spokesman Michael Devulpillieres said that the organization provided housing for seven households — 15 adults and nine children. As of Feb. 16, two families were still at hotels provided by the Red Cross, while the others were referred to the Department of Social Services for longer-term housing.

The fire, which caused approximately $500,000 in damage and left a total of 32 people homeless, ravaged Hewlett Florist and decimated its Valentine’s Day sales. “Everything’s lost,” said owner Dale Sealy. “Now I’m waiting for the insurance company to get back to me, but it will be months before we get back into the store and are open for business.”

Linda White, a Hewlett Florist employee for more than four years, said the smoke traveled quickly through the store, which sustained extensive water damage as well. “It’s like a bomb hit the shop,” she said. “Luckily everyone got out, including the dogs, too.”

White said she would look for another job to tide her over until Sealy reopens, while helping him find a place to set up shop temporarily until the store is repaired. “Nothing’s ever happened like this,” she said. “I’m going to help him out in the meantime.”

Bob Block, executive director of Five Towns Community Chest, said that when the organization found out that seven of the eight displaced families had students in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District, it sought to help. “The Chest was able to take money from our Neighbors in Need fund,” Block explained, “and we approached Key Food to ask if they would supplement our donation, and they generously did so.”

On Feb. 17, Block, Community Chest President Steven Spiro and Vice President Steven Liebman presented the Woodmere Key Food’s owners, Fausto Taveras and J.D. Azcona, and manager Giovanni Valerio, with a check for $2,000. The supermarket donated $800, and the combined donations provided each of the families with $350 in gift cards to use at Key Food. “A number of our neighbors have been affected by this tragedy,” Spiro said. “I am pleased that the Five Towns Community Chest is here to help during this difficult time.”

Taveras, who, with Azcona, took ownership of Key Food in November, said they, too, wanted to help the families in need. “We’re new to the community,” Taveras said. “We wanted to show that we’re here for support.”

The fire affected 15 students in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District. Melissa Gates, co-president of the Central Council PTA, said that the organization established an endowment fund in 2003 to help when there is a need in the community. “We sent out letters and emails to members to donate to the fund,” Gates said. “During the break, people have been bringing needed items such as toiletries, books and toys to my house because the school is closed. My house has been collection central.”

Gates added, “We know that there are other community organizations that have already been able to help the families, so we’re hoping to be the next wave. They’re going to need help for a while until they’re settled back into permanent places.”

Mero said that Hewlett Café would be open for business as soon as it is cleared by the Department of Health. “I hope I find a place to stay and customers come back,” she said. “Until then, life goes on.”

For information on making a donation to help the families affected by the fire through the Central Council PTA Endowment Fund, email Melissa Gates at MGates@Optonline.net.