STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s a nightmare no family should have to endure — losing a home in the middle of the night to a raging fire, but that’s the reality the Marcinak family faced on the morning of Jan. 31.
While there’s undoubtedly hardship afoot, West Brighton looks out for its own and has been rallying behind the family in its time of need. Through a combination of efforts, the community has generated tens of thousands of dollars for the victims of the devastating fire.
The morning of the fire
Ted Marcinak, 62, was awake when the fire broke out at his home, located at 385 Bard Ave., off Castleton Avenue, at around 1:14 a.m.
Upon smelling smoke, Marcinak, a retired deputy director for the New York City Housing Authority, initially thought it was just someone lighting a fire in the neighborhood. However, the smoke condition worsened…