Call for donations to help fire victims

Van Bramer organized Monday’s press conference to entreat people to help the fire victims by donating household goods and gifts to the families this holiday season.

Describing the fire as “unbelievably tragic,” Van Bramer noted that “at this time, it’s even more important to think of ... our neighbors.”

While many of the 25 displaced residents have since found places to stay with family members or friends, some 11 still have no real housing, according to Corwin Smith, the assistant director of community development for the Red Cross. The Red Cross has put these residents up in hotel rooms, at the organization’s expense.

Rudyard Gaboa, a resident of 40-38 61 St., where the fire began, said that on the night of Nov. 18 he awoke to the sound of banging in a neighbor’s room

“I opened the door, I saw smoke coming,” Gaboa said. It was all “black and red.” So he closed the door, went back inside his apartment and jumped out his second story window.

Gaboa’s wife, Pacita Gamboa-Gabor, said she was at work when her husband called.

“He called me and said the house was gone,” Gamboa-Gabor said.

Smith noted that as much as lack of housing, victims suffered from psychological distress. The Red Cross has offered them mental health support in the wake of the event.

“It’s a complete shock,” Smith said of losing everything in a fire. Mental health professionals can help “talk [victims] through the whole episode.”

Resident Rick Zaragoza lived on the first floor of 40-38 61 St. alongside Benhur Perez, the name of the man who died that night, according to Gaboa.

Zaragoza said he awoke to cries of “fire! fire!” He then opened his door and saw smoke everywhere, but couldn’t make it through. So he returned to his room.

“I just pray,” Zaragoza said. “I almost pass away.”

Zaragoza said he thought the barking of his dog, missing since the blaze, must have alerted the firemen who appeared on the scene that he was in the apartment. A fireman carried him out of the blaze.

Van Bramer asked that neighbors and concerned Queens residents do their best to donate food and household items, including diapers, baby food, nonperishable food, cleaning products, toys, warm clothing and cooking utensils, by Dec. 21, so that families receive them before Christmas. Donations can be dropped off at Van Bramer’s office, located at 47-01 Queens Blvd, Suite 205, in Sunnyside, or at participating Queens libraries: Woodside, Sunnyside, Long Island City, Broadway and Court Square.

According to the FDNY, the blaze was an “accidental electrical fire” caused by faulty wiring.

Since jumping two stories to escape the fire, Gaboa hasn’t been able to work his job as a home health aide because of back pain.

But despite this and the loss of all his possesions, Gaboa said, “I’m lucky.”