By: Evan Nemeroff
Deadly fire in North Lawrence
Family and friends find out about death of mother and three children
An early-morning fire that occurred on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:39 in North Lawrence resulted in the death of a mother and three children.
The fire started on the ground floor at 234 Lawrence Avenue in North Lawrence, which is occupied by a laundromat that was closed when the fire began. Above the laundromat, there were two apartments, where 12 people were living.
In apartment 1B, four occupants escaped the burning building by jumping out of a rear window. The rest were being encouraged to come down, but they were unable to make it out. Police identified the deceased as Marena Vanegas, 46, Saul Presa, 20, Andrea Vanegas, 13 and Susanna Vanegas, 9.
Susanna's twin brother Leonel, 9, made it out along with her father Edit, 42, her 12-year-old brother Manases and a 34-year-old tenant living with the family. Police say that none of them suffered from any injuries and they were not taken to any local hospital.
According to Fire Marshal Vincent McManus, the fire is deemed suspicious. The officers are concentrating on the stairwell, which was the only way in and out of the building, due to significant fire-related damage there. There was no fire escape in the building, which led to the families trying to escape from windows that were 15 feet from the ground.
Nassau County Det. Lt. Kevin Smith identified the Martinez family as the occupants of apartment 1A who made it out of the building. The 29-year-old father David, along with the 28-year-old mother Candalaria jumped out of the rear window with their four-year-old daughter Alisson and two-year-old son David, Jr. The family suffered from smoke inhalation and they were taken to Mercy Medical Hospital in Rockville Centre. Police say there appears to be no life threatening injuries.
Tahif Chiden lives on John Street in No. Lawrence and knew the two girls who were killed in the fire. "I always saw them playing on their bikes and they were always happy," Chiden said. "What happened here is terrible and I am very sad right now. When my wife called me at work and told me that the two girls died in a fire, I said 'come on honey, don't say that,' and I immediately rushed home."
Linda McDuffie, who lives on Mill Street which is adjacent to the fire, ran outside after hearing alarms with her 13-year-old son, Lidwell.
"I came out and saw the flames shooting up, but I didn't see anyone in the street," Linda said. "I was hoping that everyone got out of the building."
Lidwell attends Lawrence Middle School with Manases and wanted to see his friend make it out of the building. "I couldn't believe what was happening," Lidwell said. "We were best friends and I felt sad to see his apartment on fire."
A man who identified himself as Oscar Hernandez of Woodmere was at the scene Thursday morning and upset. He had come to pick up his friend, David Martinez, who lived in the house, so both could go to their day's construction work. Hernandez did not know while he stood there looking at the scorched wall and windows of the building that Martinez had been one of those who had escaped the blaze.
Another building next door was also somewhat burned, but all occupants escaped that building and firefighters put that blaze out quickly.
At least 20 people have been displaced to a shelter at the New Zion F.B.H. Church.
The Nassau County Red Cross is helping those who were placed in the shelter. "We plan on providing immediate assistance to those that need a roof over their head," said Frank Cassano, chief executive officer of the Nassau County Red Cross. "We have given out debit cards for people to buy food, clothing and any necessities. There are also professional mental health experts talking with people who are in shock."
Fire Departments from Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Inwood, Woodmere, Meadowmere Park, Lynbrook, Long Beach and Elmont responded. It took three hours to extinguish the flames.
