A True Hero: Caretaker Rescues Family from Fire
On August 10, the Claremont Community Center in the Bronx hosted a ceremony for local hero Ivan Maestre, who grew up in Saint Mary’s Park Houses. Just a week prior, he rescued a two-week-old infant and four other residents from a fire at the Claremont Rehab, where he has been a caretaker for seven years.
With just martial arts training and a courageous heart at his disposal, Mr. Maestre sprang into action as soon as he heard cries of “fire, fire!,” racing from door to door, in and out of windows, and up and down fire escapes. The smoke was so thick that it was difficult to breathe, so Mr. Maestre told residents not to open their doors (to keep out the smoke), and he rushed up the stairs to let the smoke out by opening the roof door. Con Edison employees soon joined this life-saving operation. Mr. Maestre even ran back into the smoke-filled apartment on the fourth floor to save the family’s pet dog. Mr. Maestre reflected, “It really wasn’t much to me; it was instinct. Life is precious, and we only get one.”
In attendance at the ceremony honoring Mr. Maestre were State Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner, City Council Member Vanessa Gibson, and Clay Avenue Resident Association President Maria Forbes. Ms. Forbes remarked, “What he did was just amazing. He never thought about himself. He just ran right in without hesitation to warn the residents and save that family and baby. It was just his human instinct to help. Many people here are grateful, and we are very proud of him.