After Death of Woman Found In Flames, School Community Grieves, Takes Steps To Heal

SOUTHOLD, NY — Days after a woman found engulfed in flames outside Southold High School died from her injuries, the school community came together to grieve — and to take the steps needed to begin to heal.

The Southold PTA hosted the Family Service League's Community Crisis Action Team this week, after the tragic event in January, when a woman was found on fire outside the school and student athletes and EMTs rushed to help.

"Revisiting that day with one another, sharing emotions, sight and other senses experienced, was an important part of healing from the tragic event," a letter to the community from the Southold PTA said.

"Also important is the ability to return to the norm. Not so easy after something so out of the norm occurs . . . and, yes, a return to the norm will happen, not overnight, but it will happen," the letter read.

In the note, the Southold PTA thanked the Southold Fire Department, which sent a chief to speak at the event, held at the Peconic School community building. The chief shared the process that Fire Department members who answered the call experienced.

"We learned that those firefighters involved were offered, and took part in, a trauma intervention, sponsored by Suffolk County," the letter said.

The PTA also thanked the town for allowing use of the Peconic School for the meeting, and Family Service League, for sending out the "Community Crisis Action Team," which will remain available to any community members needing help after the tragedy.

Following are suggestions offered at the gathering:

— Talk with peers that were involved, if they are ready to talk — and give them time if they are not. "Each person experiences a tragic event differently," the letter read.

— Speak with counselors, coaches, teachers, and, of course, parents.

— Try to return to a regular schedule.

A list of trauma reactions was also made available. Those include an initial feeling of relief to be alive, followed by stress, fear, anger, and an inability to stop thinking about what happened. For the full list of possible trauma reactions, click here.