Six killed in Sunset Park house fire as community holds vigil

A three-alarm fire broke out inside a multifamily home at 653 58th Street in Sunset Park on Nov. 5. Firefighters arrived at 1:39 a.m., just over three minutes after the blaze started. Four residents were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others died at the hospital.

The NYPD has identified three of the six victims so far: Lin Cheng Zong, 47; Weixiu Zeng, 52; and Li Sun Zhu, 21. Four civilians were injured, along with three firefighters and two police officers who suffered minor injuries.

“This is not one-time assistance, but continuous. Whenever the families have financial needs or need services, we're going to provide them.”

Local lawmakers, family members, community members and religious leaders held a somber vigil on Nov. 11 outside the charred, boarded-up building. The Western Buddhist Association opened the gathering with prayers and a hymn.

Mourners lit incense and left traditional Chinese offerings, including white flowers, candles and food, around six floral wreaths honoring the victims.

Pastor Mike Chan of Chinese Christian Herald Crusades announced immediate relief payments of $10,000 to each victim's family to help cover funeral and living expenses. He urged churches and community members to support the families' ongoing needs.

Chan said additional fundraising efforts would be announced at a Nov. 12 press conference in Flushing, Queens. He described the assistance as continuous rather than one-time and encouraged affected families to contact him.