By Sophia Chang and Michael Morton
The fire destroyed the interior of a one-and-a-half story house located at 97-33 104th St., set back from another house on the same lot. An investigation into the cause of the blaze was ongoing.A badly burnt body was found on the first floor near the front door, fire officials said. They could not specify the gender, race or age of the victim. Two men, 43-year-old John Sabatini and his roommate Richie Bamberski, lived in the house, according to members of Sabatini's family who live nearby. Bamberski was thought to be in his 50s.After the fire started at 10:45 a.m., Sabatini was accounted for by family and friends, but investigators were still trying to locate Bamberski.One of Sabatini's cousins had rushed to the house after the fire erupted and tried to break the rear windows but was not able to enter the house, according to Deputy Fire Chief John Sudnik.A witness said smoke from the fire filled the entire block.”There was a lot of smoke,” said Tony Napolitano of Howard Beach, who was parking his car when he saw the fire. “I thought nobody was in there.” He said that the firefighters told him “there's nothing to bring out” from the remains of the body.Fire officials said despite the house's position behind the other on the lot, their rescue efforts were not impeded. “The companies got in quickly and aggressively,” said Sudnik. “It didn't really hinder our efforts.”The house is owned by Kenneth and Patricia Colanero, according to city property records, and lists the 104th Street address as their primary residence. Kenneth Colanero, reached over the phone, declined to comment.Reach reporter Sophia Chang by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 146.
