Firefighters Reunited with Family Rescued from 2007 Gas Explosion

Chief Stephen Deloughry of Battalion 12 talks to Duaa (left) and Twka Al Ghaithi as their father,
Rassas Al Ghaithi, hugs Firefighter John Jacovina of Ladder 14. Firefighter Jacovina rescued
Duaa after an explosion tore through their Harlem apartment in October 2007.

Three colorful thank you cards were given to firefighters on August 20 with six words printed in a child’s handwriting: “Thank you for saving my life.”

Duaa Al Ghaithi, 6, wrote them to the men who rescued her in October 2007, after a gas explosion tore through her family’s Harlem apartment. She received internal and external burns covering 60 percent of her body and lost three fingers in the blast, forcing her to spend 10 months in the hospital and undergo grueling physical therapy and several surgeries.

Her sister Lina, 3, was blinded in the explosion and received serious burns, as did her sisters Twka, 5, and Afaf, 1. Her mother, Alouf Hassan, tragically lost her life in the blast.

“Last time I saw you, you were wearing a hat and mask,” Duaa said to her rescuer, Firefighter John Jacovina from Ladder 14. He was among the many firefighters who reunited with her and her family outside their temporary home at the Convent Avenue Family Shelter in Harlem.

She and her sisters, each still wearing nylon compression garmets to protect their skin, showered them with hugs, kisses, high-fives and deep-hearted thank yous.

“This is the best thing anyone has ever done for me,” the girls’ father, Rassas Al Ghaithi, said through a translator, giving each firefighter a long embrace. “I know the work of firefighters is risky, but you should know that you have done something special. You saved my family.”

Firefighters from Ladder 14 also handed him an envelope containing a substantial donation from all the company’s members.

“We can go to 100 jobs and not get to see how things work out,” said Battalion Chief Stephen Deloughry of Battalion 12. “It’s wonderful to see them all here, yet they still have a struggle ahead of them.”

All of the firefighters said they vividly remembered the scene of the explosion at 10 W. 119th St. on October 6, 2007 - each noting that the area was eerily quiet when they arrived and from the street they could not tell where the blast occurred.

The tenants were self evacuating, and as firefighters reached the rear of the building, they found tenants helping two of the girls and their mother, who told them the other two girls were inside.

Firefighter Jacovina and Lt. Thomas Keery (who was promoted in December 2007) found the girls in the rear of the apartment, standing in a void under a piece of sheet rock.

“They didn’t cry, they just stood there with their arms open,” said Firefighter Jacovina, who rescued Duaa.

Other firefighters said they were just as surprised the girls were quiet as they were pulled from the building.

“They were tiny, burned from head to toe, but they weren’t crying or screaming,” said Jermaine Martin of Engine 35. “It’s so good to see they’re doing better now.”

As the girls took turns whispering to Firefighter Jacovina and sitting on his lap, he said, “I always wanted to see them again, see what happened.”

Yet they all noted that they wanted to spread the word about this family so that someone might help them get back on their feet.

Members of Ladder 14 are reunited with Rassas Al Ghaithi and his four daughters in Harlem.
Firefighter John Jacovina (seated) sits beside Duaa (seated, center),
whom he rescued after the explosion.

“They are so grateful. We just wanted to give them a little attention so they could get the help they needed,” said Firefighter Chris Fenyo from Ladder 14, who coordinated the reunion. “They don’t need things, they need financial help.”

Capt. Stephen Marsar of Division 3 added, “We never get to see this part, we always see them at their worst, when they’ve lost everything. I just hope someone will be able to help them.”

As the girls went back inside and Mr. Al Ghaithi said his goodbyes he noted, “Whenever I see my daughters I will remember you.”

Donations to the Al Ghaithi family can be made to the Accident Victims Relief Fund: Al Ghaithi Family, 143 Willis Ave., Mineola, NY 11501.