Woman Dead, Husband Critically Hurt In Staten Island Fire
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A devastating fire on Staten Island left one woman dead and now family members are praying her husband survives.
Jennifer Cavalluzzi tried to keep her composure while talking about the fire that killed her mother, 63-year-old Francis Quinones, and left her father, 66-year-old Julio Quinones, in critical condition.
"They were both inseparable, very well-loved," she told CBS2's Andrea Grymes. "Everyone knows them. They were very giving, good-hearted."
The blaze broke out around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday at the couple's home on Annandale Road.
The Quinones' next door neighbor, Saverio Carchidi, said he had no idea their side of the house was on fire until another neighbor walking by saw the flames and came to his door. That's when he said he came out and tried to alert his friends.
"I was knocking on the door, but nothing," he said. "So my wife, she called right away 911 and they came."
Deputy Fire Chief John Hodgens said the fire was mostly contained right inside the front door.
"They forced entry into the home and were met by fire at the door," he said. "They made an aggressive attack on the fire."
Firefighters found the couple upstairs on the second floor. Hodgens said both were in cardiac arrest and suffering from smoke inhalation.
The two were taken to Staten Island University South Hospital where Francis Quinones died.
"Husband and wife, beautiful people," Carchidi said. "I'm here 15 years and it's unbelievable."
Cavalluzzi said her parents, who had been married for 46 years, both worked at a local Costco. She said her father is a retired city bus driver and military veteran.
"Just please pray for my dad," she said. "We're trying to see if at least he can come through this, that would be great."
Francis Quinones leaves behind four daughters and eight grandchildren.
"Everyday we talk to them. We have the kids talk to them. We try to see each other all the time," Cavalluzzi said.
Still no word on what caused the fire.
