Jun 16, 2008 9:45 am US/Eastern
Arsonist May Have Sparked Fatal Father's Day Fire
Tragedy Leaves 3 Dead, 5 Seriously Injured
QUEENS (CBS) ―
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Many residents of a Queens apartment building were forced to jump from their windows to escape a deadly fire.
CBS
Fire marshals said arson may be to blame for Sunday's fatal fire in the Middle Village section of Queens.
The suspicious fire started in the first floor hallway, cutting off the quickest and safest escape route. Flames raced all the way up to the third floor and trapped residents inside their apartments.
Heriberto Garcia-Vera, 68, his 48-year-old wife Flor Sandoval and 20-year-old son Felipe Garcia were all killed by the fast-moving fire. The family had just moved into the Middle Village apartment building from Richmond Hill.
Five other other people had to run for their lives or jump from windows.
"I seen smoke billowing out of the top floor and this lady sitting on
window ledge of the second floor and she just jumped," said Bryan Onody.
"All of a sudden she just jumped and as she jumped she fell on top of
the other lady that was sitting on top of the awning," said George
Zugajewicz. "I told him jump. I'll catch you, and as he jumped I caught him."
Zugajewicz also helped another man and woman. With their clothes on fire, they ran into the deli where they were doused with water. "The guy ran back out of the deli. I threw some gallons of water to the deli owner and he grabbed some more and we started putting him out."
Another man was able to walk out, but was severely burned by the flames. Five others were also seriously injured.
"As
the guy ran back out of the deli, I threw some gallons of water to the
deli owner and he grabbed some more we started putting him out," added
Zugajewicz.
The stairwell was filled with immense fire and smoke
so residents trying to escape were trapped. They actually made matters
worse when they opened doors and gave fuel to the fire.
"Had they not opened the door to the apartments, they would have been much better off," said Fire Chief Steven Kublar.
Luckily many were able to run out of the engulfed building. Sebastian
Castro was able to climb to safety thanks to the fire department.
"I sat down by the window and they got a ladder and I got down climbing down ladder," Castro told CBS 2 HD.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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