By Bryan Schwartzman
Bernard Stein, who is over 65, was taken to Cornell Weil Medical Center Burn unit two weeks ago after fire broke out at his home at 182-20 Aberdeen Rd., said firefighter Mike Prendergast, a Fire Department spokesman.
The fire started at about 6:50 p.m. and was under control within 20 minutes, said Prendergast.
Stein was listed in critical but stable condition as of Tuesday, said Tracy Hickenbottom, a hospital spokeswoman.
Nancy Parisi, a family friend of Stein, said last week Stein had been unconscious most of the time since the fire and doctors were “doing all they can.”
But Parisi fears that when Stein begins to recover, he might not have the strength to continue living if he discovers his pet cat is missing.
Stein lives alone with two house cats, Parisi said.
One of the cats was grabbed by a firefighter when it leapt from the burning house, said Parisi. The feline is now being cared for by a neighbor.
But the other cat, Tuxedo, a 4-year-old neutered black male with a white diamond splotch on its stomach, apparently escaped the fire and has not been seen since.
“I'm worried about the cat. It must have been traumatized by the fire,” said Parisi. “It's declawed and it's a house cat.”
“We are not even sure he made it out,” she said.
Anyone with information about the cat's whereabouts is asked to call Nancy Parisi at 631-361-9804 or Mary Lou Williams 380-6323.
