New York Daily News

Mourning vics of fire in Harlem

- BY TREVOR BOYER AND ELIZABETH KEOGH

Red roses and stuffed animals lined the fence outside PS 194 in Harlem, where two blocks away four children, their mother and her stepson were killed in a fire Wednesday.

Mourners lit candles (inset) for mother Andrea Pollidore, 45, and her stepson Matt Abdularaph, 32. Teachers and classmates of Brooklyn, 6, Andre, 8, and Nakiyra, 11, left hundreds of notes for their lost friends. Friends left Honeybun pastries for Elijah, 3.

“I love you Honeybun,” read a note on the fence, referring to Elijah’s nickname and favorite snack.

A few dozen relatives and friends made their way to the three older children’s school near the scene of the fifth-floor fatal apartment fire in the Frederick E. Samuel Houses in Harlem. PS 194 is providing therapists to speak with the older children’s classmates.

Andrea Pollidore’s daughter Raven Reyes was silent as friends and family comforted her.

“As you can imagine everyone is still in complete and utter shock,” said the children’s aunt and Andrea’s sister Kendra Pollidore-Mulzac. “We just ask that you would continue to keep us in your prayers, for the days, months to come . ... Nakaira, Andre, Brooklyn, Elijah, Nadine, god bless y’all, we love y’all.”

The FDNY determined the fire was accidental and was caused by unattended cooking.

State Sen. Brian Benjamin vowed to help with the funeral and relocating displaced tenants.

“We come together in times of crisis and tragedy, and so we’re gonna do everything we can to be supportive when this happens,” said Benjamin.

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