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Indo-Guyanese Family of 3 Perishes in 5 Alarm Fire That Ravaged a Triplex in Queens

Indo-Guyanese Family of 3 Perishes in 5 Alarm Fire That Ravaged a Triplex in Queens

  • Nandraj “Balo” Persaud, his wife Bono Salima “Sally” Persaud, and their son Devon Persaud lived in a basement apartment in the South Richmond Hill section of the New York borough.

An Indo-Guyanese couple and their 22-year-old son were killed in a fast-moving fire that ravaged a three-story house in Queens last week. Nandraj “Balo” Persaud, 59, his wife Bono Salima “Sally” Persaud, and Devon Persaud lived in a basement apartment in the South Richmond Hill section of the New York borough.

The New York Post reported that the 5-alarm fire began around 2:00 p.m. on June 17. When firefighters arrived, the home was fully engulfed in flames and smoke, the report added, quoting NYPD officials. Two other houses were destroyed and five more were damaged by the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the New York Fire Department.

Nandraj and Salima Persaud are survived by their son Boyo, his wife and their two young children, according to a fundraiser set up by family members. 

Nandraj Persaud’s sister Mohan Persaud told ABC 7 News that the grief has been unbearable for the family. “I’m just so sad about what happened, he was a good brother. t’s very sad.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams surveyed the fire scene the following day, ABC 7 reported and made a surprise visit to the family. “The city is mourning when you lose family members like that,” Adams said, per ABC 7.

According to the GoFundMe page, started by Abid Ally, a first cousin of Salima, Boyo and his family are not financially able to cover funeral expenses. “Likewise, family members abroad in Guyana do not have the finances to come and say their final goodbyes.” The family is aiming to raise $60,000 to cover funeral expenses. As of June 23 morning, they raised over $57,000.

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Ally said her Salima was “a social butterfly, who was selfless, a genuine person, and was always the first one to help in any situation.” Her husband was “a hard working man who had to stop working due to a disability and who also recently had surgery on their son.” She said Devon was “a smart and sensitive soul who showed care and compassion for all he met and left a lasting impression on all he met.”

A Muslim funeral was Salima Persaud is scheduled for June 26, while a Hindu ceremony will be held for Nanda Persaud on June 27. 

(Top photo, a screenshot)

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