Fire Kills Man, 74, in His Queens Home, Authorities Suspect Unattended Cigarette as Cause

NY Daily News – February 12, 2016

by John Annese, Keldy Ortiz

A 74-year-old man is dead after a blaze at a Queens home late Thursday, authorities and witnesses said.

The fire broke out on Riverside Drive in Whitestone, by Powells Cove Blvd, at about 11:50 p.m.

Firefighters doused flames in the basement and on the first floor, according to an FDNY spokesman.

After battling the blaze, Mario Dimisa was found dead by firefighters, officials said, but couldn’t immediately say where he was found in the house.

“I smelled something, but I thought it was in my house,” said neighbor Nickie Maraccino. “Then we saw the fire trucks outside. He lived alone.”

Nickie’s husband Joe Maraccino said the victim lived next door for over 25 years.

“He was a pretty nice guy,” Joe Maraccino said. “It’s such a shame.”

The blaze was put out by 1:37 a.m. Friday, a spokesman said.

An unattended cigarette may be the cause of the fire, a police source said

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply

This is not an official City of New York or FDNY website. All information shall not be considered that given by the New York City Fire Department or FDNY. The FDNY acronym and the FDNY Shield Design are federal registered trademarks owned by the City of New York.

Copyright 2014 Civil Service Media. All rights reserved.