Memorial 1 Year After Deadly LI Fire: 'It Can All Be Gone In A Second'

RIVERHEAD, NY — Wednesday marked exactly one year since a fire ripped through a historic Riverhead home, killing a family of five who were unable to escape the third floor.

For Keith Polchies, who ran from his apartment in the home with his fiancee Cindy Wilson, the year has been filled with grief, pain and haunting memories — as well as deeply rooted gratitude for having survived, for having been given a second chance, when five others did not.

On Wednesday, Polchies was among a small group that gathered in front of where the home once stood — the charred structure was razed last month. "It was very emotional for me," Polchies said. "I put a picture, with their memory card attached, for the family. I sat with my old neighbors — we hugged and cried for the happiness of the survivors, as well sadness for such a senseless tragedy."

Reflecting on how surviving such a devastating blaze has altered the past year, Polchies reflected. "My life has changed drastically. Personally and emotionally. I am in a good spot. I forgive more, hug more, and give more. I appreciate more. This was a wake-up call if nothing else."

On Facebook Wednesday, Polchies wrote a message saying it would be his last post about the date of the fire. "I just want to say to my friends and family, 'Thank you.' It's been one hell of a year. I wish this family peace and healing. Let's pray together for friends and family to never forget — it can be gone in a second. Peace, love, happiness."

The tragic chapter came to a close last month after the raging fire ripped through the home: The burnt-out shell of the building was demolished into a heap of charred rubble.

Watching the building fall, Polchies, who survived the November blaze on Second Street, was solemn. "I'm not happy today. Closure, but it's a sad day. Many years, many memories. I still can't believe it," he said.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar also spoke about the razing of the burnt and blackened structure. "This was long overdue, as the house was considered unstable," she said. "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who perished."

Edward Burke, Jr., attorney for the owner of the building, Carmela Cannella, said they worked with the town to accomplish the demolition.

In March, it was determined that a cigarette started the massive Riverhead fire that ripped through the 1905 home on Nov. 16, 2021, police said. Suffolk police did not give specifics as to where the cigarette was found, or where the fire began.

After the fire, the town board made revisions to the town's rental code, with an eye toward safety, Aguiar said, including that third-story homes have a secondary egress or a fire suppression system.

Polchies had lived in the home for 15 years. He described the nightmarish fire to Patch. A mother and her son, Lori and Adam Starsiak, also escaped with just the clothes on their backs. Cannella, who was living in the home, also survived.

According to Riverhead Town Police, the five people who died were all found on the third floor of the East Second Street home and were third-floor residents.

Killed in the fire were Zonia Dinora Rivera Mendoza, 41; Carlos Alberto Ramos Aguirre, 25; Carlos Cífrelo Penate Rivera — who died a day after his 25th birthday — 16-year-old Andrea Isamar Gonzalez Rivera, and Douglas Edgardo Rivera Aguirre, 27. A mother, daughter, son, and two nephews, lost.

A man who lost his sister and four other relatives in the blaze described his anguish to Patch.

According to Suffolk County Police, responding officers were there within a minute of the 10:38 p.m. 911 call. The homeowner lived on the first floor, and escaped; the second floor had two apartments each with two occupants, and the third floor had one apartment with five occupants.A second-floor resident went out to walk his dog and then returned and was getting ready for bed when he smelled smoke and heard his across-the-hall neighbors yelling, "Fire!" police said.

Neighbors were grief-stricken and shocked the day after the blaze as they gathered across the street from the blackened structure, the smell of smoke still heavy in the air.

Steven Tracy, who lives directly across the street from the fire, was visibly distraught. "It was horrible. I saw my windows glowing and I looked across the street and the whole house was on fire. Every floor was on fire," he said. Tracy said he knew some residents on the second floor, who escaped. "But everyone on the third floor — they didn't get out," he said. Tracy said he did not think he would be able to sleep for some time. "I can still hear the sound of them screaming."

Aguiar told Patch that the home was an owner-occupied, four-family residence. In recent months, code enforcement had visited the home eight times and called twice, trying to get the town's rental agreement renewed; once that rental agreement was renewed, there would have been a new inspection required, she said. The owner was then cited in October with failure to renew the rental agreement, she said — adding that the agreement expired in 2020, during the pandemic.

Riverhead residents Arlene and Brad Tuthill were also shaken as they stood before the charred building. "My heart just goes out to those people," Arlene said. "I hope they didn't suffer too long."

She added, "This is something none of us will ever forget."

The home had great historical significance in Riverhead. According to Riverhead Town records, the three-story, cross-gable Victorian style home was built circa 1905 and featured turrets and Tuscan columns. Known as the Price Northridge House, the home was originally designed by William Sidney Jones for Augusta Price, a Brooklyn attorney.