Transgender Woman Killed In Apt. Fire
A 25-year-old woman who was reportedly part of a transgender performing group died in a one-alarm fire that broke out in her Bushwick residence early last Saturday morning, May 12.
Law enforcement sources identified the victim as Lorena Escalera of Furman Avenue.
Fire Department sources said the blaze ignited at around 4 a.m. in Escalara’s third-floor apartment at a four-story structure located at the corner of Furman and Bushwick avenues.
Responding to the scene (in the order of their arrival) were members of Engine companies 233, 332, 222 and 231; Squad companies 252 and 270; Ladder companies 176, 175, 120 and 103; Rescue 2 and Battalions 44 and 37-under the direction of Division 15-along with the 83rd Precinct and EMS units.
Using two hose lines, firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze about a half-hour after their arrival.
Other residents living inside the building were able to evacuate safely, but firefighters reportedly discovered Escalera unconscious on her bed after putting out the blaze. She was removed from the building and pronounced dead at the scene by EMS units.
Published reports noted that Escalera, who was born male, was part of an act of transgender performers known as “House of Xtravaganza.”
The cause of the fire was deemed suspicious and remains under investigation by FDNY marshals, authorities said.
