Boy off respirator after fatal fire

Posted

Issue of October 15, 2010, 7 Cheshvan 5771

 

 

By Mayer Fertig

A 10 year-old Brooklyn boy who was critically hurt on Shmini Atzeres in a fast-burning fire that killed his brother, was weaned off a respirator this week, while money is raised for the two families that lost everything in the blaze.

Yitzchok Isaac Krasny is in stable condition at Long Island Jewish Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, according to Moshe Gordon, a businessman from Flatbush who is helping to collect money for the families. 19-month old Etel Krasny was being weaned off a respirator in the burn unit at Staten Island University Hospital. Three other children of Yaakov and Chana Krasny have been released from hospitals.

The fire in the two-family home at 1118 Avenue P in the Midwood section of Brooklyn began in the kitchen of the Krasny’s third-floor apartment and spread quickly. Eight year-old Avigdor a”h died in a bedroom before his father or firefighters could reach him.

“The father was running in and out, trying to pull out his kids. He got them out, except one,” said Gordon, who lives two blocks away. He smelled smoke as his family was finishing dinner in their sukkah on Wednesday night, Sept. 29, 2010, and went to investigate its source. He found firefighters battling a three-alarm fire and dozens of Hatzalah volunteer emergency medical technicians and paramedics treating victims.

“The flames were shooting out from the attic maybe 15-feet up,” Gordon said. “Even across the street, after five minutes, the smoke was so strong that I felt it was dangerous,” and he left. All of the injuries were caused by smoke inhalation.

The Krasnys are temporarily living in a apartment that was donated and fully furnished for their use. Their landlords, Michel and Hindy Rosenbaum and their children, who escaped the flames unharmed, are staying with friends. The landlord was underinsured, Gordon said. He and others volunteered to run a committee to collect and distribute between $500,000 and $600,000 for the two families.

“We’re not looking to set them up for life. What we are looking to do is get them back on their feet,” Gordon said. Appeals on Sunday morning at the many minyanim at Rabbi Landau’s shul on East 9th Street in Midwood raised about $25,000, and appeals are being made in other shuls as well.

To help out, send a check payable to Keren Hatzalas Nefoshos, care of Rabbi Elyahu Brudny, at 1752  East 18th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229. To donate by phone, call 718-907-5423 and choose option 5, “Keren 231” from the menu.

Gordon is a partner in Paradise Kosher Caterers.