Family Seeks Help Funding Funeral For Teen Killed In Hamilton Heights Fire
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A funeral date has yet to be set for the 15-year-old girl who was killed earlier this week in a fire in Hamilton Heights.
The family of Melisa Mendez wants to lay the teen to rest in the Dominican Republic but needs financial help to do so, 1010 WINS' Kevin Rincon reported.
Web Extra: Donation Information | West Harlem Group Assistance
City Councilman Mark Levine said that he hopes that help can come from New Yorkers.
"We have started to raise money for the funeral expenses of the Mendez family, we've had a number of contributions come in to support this. We're also accepting contributions of clothing and household goods at a local church," Levine said.
Mendez, an honor roll student who planned to go into medicine, was a regular at the Church of Annunciation at 88 Convent Avenue.
The blaze left more than 100 people homeless, and was sparked by an overloaded power strip that was left under a piece of furniture, the FDNY said.
"Many of the residents lost everything they have, all of their clothes and household items. A number of them unfortunately kept their savings at home in cash," Levine said.
Money is being collected online as well, through the group 'West Harlem Group Assistance.'
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