Stephen T. Watson
The Buffalo News, N.Y.
(TNS)
Jan. 2—Cornerstone Church Ministries Pastor Duane Price usually holds an online service on Facebook Live from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays.
When he saw that one of his congregants, Clarence Liggans, was phoning him at 8:30 a.m. on New Year's Eve, "I'm thinking he's calling to let me know he's going to be at the service, or to crack a joke for me," Price said.
Instead, Liggans, calling from work, was crying and screaming because he just learned a fire was raging through his house.
"I canceled services and came straight over," said Price, who has since been busy helping a devastated family that lost five young children in a house fire that gutted their rental house on Dartmouth Avenue.
Clarence and Lisa Liggans lived at the home with two of their adult children and six grandchildren ranging in age from 7 months to 10 years old, Price said during a Monday afternoon press conference outside the 1 1/2-story structure off Bailey Avenue.
All the children except the infant died as a result of the fire.
Three girls — ages 7, 8 and 10 — died Saturday at the scene.
The family learned only hours before the press conference that a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy died earlier in the day at Oishei Children's Hospital, where they were taken by rescue crews.
The infant was released to family members Monday. Clarence Liggans and his two adult children who lived in the house also are staying elsewhere with family, Price said.
Lisa Liggans, 63, remained at Erie County Medical Center in critical condition with third-degree burns to her body, the pastor said.
Price and city officials have not released the names of the fire victims.
The pastor said the family appreciates the support it is receiving from the community, but needs more time to mourn.
"They are not ready to talk about this, and they asked that we give them time to do some healing," Price told the media assembled outside the house.
"They are not my direct relatives, yet every time I think about them, it's hard for me to fight back the tears," he said. "And if it's difficult for me, imagine how difficult it is for them."
The fatal fire began at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. Lisa Liggans was able to rescue the infant from the home, and another adult woman also made it out safely, city officials said. Buffalo firefighters got the other children, who were all in cardiac arrest, out of the home.
By late New Year's Eve morning, the light green house with dark green trim was cordoned off with police tape, which continued to flutter around the property Monday in the early January chill.
Buffalo fire investigators have ruled the fire accidental, said Michael DeGeorge, spokesman for Mayor Byron Brown. Fire officials previously said the fire began in the dining room, and that the home had working smoke detectors.
Property records show the owners live in New York City.
Clarence and Lisa Liggans rented the home, according to a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of the family by their church. Price said the Cornerstone fundraiser is the only one authorized by the family, and it will assist with funeral expenses for the children, as well as basic needs for a family that lost everything.
Price said the church, at 410 East St., is also accepting donations of clothing, furniture and food for the survivors.
"Every dime and every morsel of food donated through this fundraiser will go to help that family," he said.
Larry Scott, a Buffalo School Board member, tweeted on Monday that the district was preparing to provide additional support for students at the schools the children attended.
"We are deeply saddened by the heartbreaking tragedy where the lives of five young, innocent children perished in a fire. Four were enrolled in Buffalo Public Schools," the district said in a statement Monday. On the GoFundMe Page, several supporters commented that "Your PS 89 family is here for you," referring to Dr. Lydia T. Wright Elementary School.
"Crisis support will be available Tuesday and as long as needed to provide support for all students and staff at the respective schools," the BPS statement said. "The district is reaching out to the family to offer support and will remain respectful of the family's wishes."
Price said the fire added another horrific tragedy to 2022, a year that held a devastating racist massacre in May and the Christmas weekend blizzard that caused some 40 deaths in Western New York.
"With each of these tragedies, Buffalo has stepped up and helped those in need," Price said, "and we ask that you continue to do that for this family."
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