A predawn fire tore through two homes on Chapman Avenue Feb. 11, killing a 72-year-old man, critically injuring a 69-year-old woman and destroying neighboring properties before firefighters brought the blaze under control, authorities said.
Police said officers were dispatched at 4:31 a.m. to reports of a residential fire. When they arrived, the house was fully engulfed, and flames spread to an adjacent home, causing significant damage to at least two other houses.
The 72-year-old man, later identified as John Mora, was found inside his residence and pronounced dead at the scene, according to Nassau County police. His wife, Marie Mora, 69, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, officials said. Their children, Greg, Alex and Mariana Mora, were not home at the time.
According to a GoFundMe created for the families, the Mora family also lost their dog and cat, Luna and Kiki, in the fire. The neighboring Glynn family — Tom, Ann, Caitlin and Tommy — escaped without injury. As of press time, the fundraiser had raised $49,000 to support the two families in rebuilding their lives.
Bellmore Fire Department Chief Eric Ozechowski described the conditions firefighters faced while battling the blaze.
“We received a call at 4:32 a.m. and arrived within a few minutes,” he said. “Fire was already very visible, and you could feel the heat out in the street. Police reported someone trapped on the first floor. I got about six feet inside the house before heavy heat forced us to retreat.”
Ozechowski said the fire quickly spread to the neighboring home, which was also destroyed. “We operated approximately 90 minutes until we were able to get a handle on it. One civilian and two police officers were transported with minor injuries.”
Frigid temperatures complicated efforts to contain the blaze, as firefighters had to clear ice and snow from a hydrant before attaching hoses, officials said. In a fire department Facebook post, officials warned, “When seconds matter, access to a clear hydrant can make all the difference … If they’re covered by snow, blocked by vehicles, landscaping, or debris, it slows down our operation and can impact the outcome.”
Michael F. Uttaro, chief fire marshal of Nassau County, advised residents on winter fire safety. “Clear your fire hydrants of snow, ensure that your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are installed and operating as required, do not use extension cords for space heaters and heavy-duty appliances, have your heating system inspected annually, and have a home fire evacuation plan,” he said.
Ozechowski emphasized that hydrant upkeep is a shared responsibility in the community. “If everybody does a little bit, every little bit helps, and many hands make light work,” he said, advising residents to contact the fire department immediately if they suspect a problem.
Under the direction of the Bellmore Fire Department, about 100 firefighters responded to the Feb. 11 blaze, with mutual aid arriving from Bethpage, East Meadow, Freeport, Levittown, Massapequa, Merrick, North Bellmore, North Massapequa, North Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh fire departments.
The Town of Hempstead Building Department responded to evaluate the structural stability of the homes, and detectives from the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide and Arson Bomb squads, along with the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office, are investigating the cause of the blaze. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
