Girl celebrated for swift reaction to kitchen fire in Valley Stream

On Nov. 14, Valley Stream firefighters responded to a call from a 10-year-old girl that her family's kitchen was on fire at on East Hawthorne Avenue. That girl, Diana Loveras, was honored for her quick thinking at Monday night’s board meeting, and was credited for saving her family’s lives.

Mayor Ed Fare heralded Diana’s efforts, and said that she used skills that she had learned during a fire-prevention exercise given recently by the Valley Stream Fire Department at Brooklyn Avenue Elementary School.

“Diana, you certainly did a tremendous job,” Fare said. “I think you may have a future in the Valley Stream Fire Department.”

Thomas Cohen, president of the Five Towns Kiwanis Club, presented Diana’s family with a $500 Target gift card to help them begin to replace items they lost in the fire. Fare also gave Diana a $50 gift card on behalf of the Village Board.

Second Fire Chief Gene O’Brien, of the VSFD, said the Loveras woke her mother up when she noticed smoke coming from the kitchen on the morning of Nov. 14. When firefighters arrived shortly after 6:30 a.m., the kitchen at the back of the house was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to douse the blaze before it spread to the rest of the two-story home.

Scott Comis, principal of Brooklyn Avenue Elementary School, said he was grateful to have Diana as a student at the school.

“At Brooklyn Avenue school, and as your principal, we are so very proud of you and blessed to have you as a student,” Comis said. “Thank you for your representing everything that your school stands for: brilliance, emotional intelligence and leadership. You are a hero.”