Ron Crandall, who lived in 104 Jay St., is recovering from second- and third-degree burns he sustained in the March 6 fire after undergoing surgery Wednesday.
David Crandall, Ron’s brother, said the surgery to his feet and hands went well, and doctors expect him to be mobile again in about five days, at which point he’ll start physical therapy.
“The doctors were pleased with how quick he was healing before the surgery,” he said. “I went to visit on Sunday. He seemed in a lot better spirits and the pain wasn’t as bad as before.”
Crandall was sent to Westchester Medical Center for serious burns he sustained to his feet, hands, legs, face and head while running out of the building when it engulfed in flames.
After he undergoes about a week of physical therapy in Westchester, Crandall’s brother is hoping he can come back to Schenectady to continue his recovery.
Crandall lived on the fourth floor of 104 Jay, the building where the fire started. The bodies of four people who were unable to escape the burning apartment house have been recovered.
“We brought him down copies of the paper,” Crandall said. “He was looking at the articles and reading them. He actually pointed out his apartment window and Harry’s window in one of the photos. Harry and him lived on the same floor.”
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is still under investigation by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with city and state agencies.
The demolition of 104 Jay and adjacent 100-102 Jay started Thursday. Jackson Demolition of Schenectady took down several floors from the back of 104 Jay. Work is expected to take about a month to complete.
Six other people were also hospitalized as a result of the fire. Five people were sent to Ellis Hospital, and one to Albany Medical Center. All of them are in stable condition, according to police.
March 29 fundraiser
Crandall is planning a fundraiser for his brother March 29 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars at 609 Draper Ave. in Schenectady. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and will offer a spaghetti dinner, bake sale, 50/50 raffle and silent auction.
The price to attend the event is $12 for an adult and $7 for children between 5 and 12 years old. Children younger than 5 years old eat free of charge. Donations are also being accepted at Pioneer Savings Bank under the Ron Crandall Fund.
For more information about the fundraiser, visit the Facebook page “Benefit Dinner for Ron Crandall.”
Categories: -News-, Schenectady County
