By EVAN NEMEROFF
The early-morning fire has been deemed "suspicious" by fire officials.
The fire started at 5:39 a.m. on the ground floor at 234 Lawrence Ave. in North Lawrence, which is occupied by a laundromat that was closed when the fire began. Above the laundromat were two apartments, in which 12 people were living.
According to Fire Marshal Vincent McManus, the fire was suspect because of significant fire-related damage in the stairwell, which was the only way in and out of the building. Officials said a liquid accelerant may have been used, and the arson squad is still investigating the scene. There was no fire escape in the building, which led to the families trying to escape through windows that were 15 feet from the ground.
In apartment 1B, four occupants escaped the burning building by jumping out of a rear window, but four others were unable to escape the blaze. Police identified them as Morena Vanegas, 46, Saul Presa, 19, 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 said that none of them suffered any injuries, and they were not taken to any local hospital.
Tahif Chiden lives on John Street in North Lawrence and knew the two sisters 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, ran outside with her 13-year-old son, Lidwell, after hearing alarms. "I came out and saw the flames shooting up, but I didn't see anyone in the street," McDuffie 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."
Nassau County Detective Lt. Kevin Smith identified the Martinez family as the occupants of Apartment 1A, all of whom made it out of the building. David Martinez, 29, and his 28-year-old wife, Candelaria, jumped out of the rear window with their 4-year-old daughter Alisson and 2-year-old son David Jr. The family suffered from smoke inhalation and was taken to Mercy Medical Hospital in Rockville
Centre.
Another building next door to the fire was also damaged, but all of its occupants escaped, and firefighters were able to extinguish that blaze quickly.
The Nassau County Red Cross provided a shelter to more than 20 people who were displaced after the fire, but has since put them in the care of the Department of Social Services. The survivors remain without a permanent residence. "We provided immediate assistance to those that needed a roof over their head," said Frank Cassano, chief executive officer of the Nassau County Red Cross. "We gave out debit cards for people to buy food, clothing and any necessities. There were also professional mental health experts talking with people who were in shock."
Fire Departments from Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Inwood, Woodmere, Meadowmere Park, Lynbrook, Long Beach and Elmont responded to the scene. It took three hours to extinguish the flames.
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