My name is Salina, and I’m creating this fundraiser on behalf of my grandmother and our entire family as we navigate an unimaginable tragedy.

On Wednesday morning, a massive fire broke out at our property on Third Avenue in the Bronx, completely destroying the building that had been in our family for OVER three generations.

This was not just a property — it was my grandmother’s childhood home, her late mother’s home, and a place filled with decades of memories, and history. It also housed the deli she rented out, which used to be my great grandmother’s and was recently renovated.

In the midst of this devastating fire, we suffered the greatest loss of all:

My grandmother’s brother, Oreste De Leon, lost his life inside the home.

Despite the efforts of more than 140 FDNY and EMS responders, the fire spread too quickly and is still under investigation.

The building is gone. The deli is gone. And our family is left grieving the sudden loss of our family member. Losing him in such a tragic and violent way has left our family heartbroken and overwhelmed.

We are raising funds to help my grandmother and our family with:

Funeral and memorial expenses for Oreste De Leon

Emergency financial support

Long‑term recovery and stability

This tragedy has taken a life, a home, a business, and a piece of our family’s history. We are doing everything we can to support my grandmother during this painful time, but we cannot do it alone.

Any contribution — no matter the amount — will make a meaningful difference. Even sharing this page helps more than you know.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your compassion, your prayers, and your support as we honor Oreste’s memory and help our family begin to heal.