Couple Killed in New York Blaze

YONKERS, N.Y.-- A two-alarm fire in a Yonkers apartment building has left two people dead.

Yonkers police say the fast-moving blaze at 96 Leighton Avenue was reported at around 7:40 a.m. and engulfed all three floors of the building, in the southwest corner of Yonkers near the Bronx border.

Police say the fire quickly spread trapping an elderly couple inside the home. An 88-year-old man, and 89-year old woman both died as a result of the fire.

The fire was reported under control at 8:20 a.m.

Deputy Fire Chief John Flynn said the nailed-shut front door delayed firefighters somewhat, but he added, "I don't think it affected the outcome." He said the door - and bars inside the windows - amounted to "a homemade security system." The couple used the garage to go in and out, he said.

He also said, "There's all kinds of clutter and debris in there - very, very tight quarters." The man and woman were identified as Leo and Caroline Gorynski. The woman was found in a rear bedroom, the man in a first-floor hallway, Flynn said. The man was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital. Flynn said a New York City firefighter had spotted smoke and tried to get into the house before Yonkers firefighters arrived but was unsuccessful.

Copyright 2008 by WABC-TV.

Republished with permission of WABC-TV.

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