East Elmhurst Fire Victims' Family Starts GoFundMe

EAST ELMHURST, QUEENS — Two Dominican visitors are fighting for their lives after a fire on July 10 burned through the East Elmhurst home where they were staying with relatives.

Relatives have started a GoFundMe for Elizabeth Rodriguez and 10-month-old Lian Rodriguez, who are in the hospital in critical condition after suffering severe burns from the fire, which also left two family members dead.

The two victims were on vacation from the Dominican Republic with Claudio Rodriguez, 75, and six-year-old Ema Rodriguez, both of whom died in the fire at 23-49 93rd St., the GoFundMe page says.

A houseguest used gasoline to start the fire, according to the GoFundMe. News reports identify the man as David Abreu Nuñez and say he torched the building after the homeowners, Raul and Rafelina Moreno, told him to leave.

"An individual entered the home and used gasoline to destroy a home and more importantly, precious lives," the GoFundMe reads. "We are praying for a miracle for 10 month old Lian Rodriguez and his mother, Elizabeth Rodriguez."

The GoFundMe has raised more than $5,000 since its creation on July 11, the day after the fire.

FDNY fire marshals have confirmed that a flammable liquid contributed to the fire, but a spokesperson declined to elaborate on what that liquid was.

Police are treating the area as a crime scene.