Tragic End to Dreams / Loved ones lost amid the fire HOME Edition

Luis Cruz had twice left his wife and children in El Salvador and crossed the United States border illegally. The first time he was caught and sent back; the second time he made it to the safety of a friend's apartment in Huntington Station, arriving just Wednesday. Maria Chicas lived in the ap...

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Published inNewsday
Main Authors Blanca Monica Quintanilla. STAFF WRITER, These stories were reported by Al Baker, Valerie Burgher, Victor Chen, Barbara J. Durkin, Carol Eisenberg, Blanca Monica Quintanilla, Victor Manuel Ramos, Lauren Terrazzano and Katie Thomas
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Long Island, N.Y Newsday LLC 02.05.1999
EditionCombined editions
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Summary:Luis Cruz had twice left his wife and children in El Salvador and crossed the United States border illegally. The first time he was caught and sent back; the second time he made it to the safety of a friend's apartment in Huntington Station, arriving just Wednesday. Maria Chicas lived in the apartment next door, working as a cook at a nearby bodega. On Friday, she won $34 from the lotto and was planning to spend the money on clothes for her youngest, 18-month-old girl, Agustina Elizabeth. "Voy por mi nina" ("I'm going back for my girl") was the last thing her brother, Clemente Chicas, heard her say as she ran into the inferno yesterday in a futile attempt to save another daughter, 5-year-old Maria Pineda. Both died.