Explosion's young survivors move on, but never forget

First of all I would like to commend Jennifer Barrios and Mr. Ferrara for their reporting and slide-show of this story. It was deeply disturbing and showed how much a life can change in a second. The lawsuit takes the story in another direction. Farry Sharif should be cited and fined for having an illegal basement apartment yes, but, she/he clearly wanted to have this tenant evicted and the town of Lake Grove took no action. Parties, loud music, people coming and going, not to mention the tenant SHOT GUNS OFF INSIDE THE APARTMENT/? The town officials weren't that swift when she complained but gave her citations less than an hour after the blast? Many Long Islanders have illegal apartments just to make ends meet. Better think twice.

There is a reason it's called an ILLEGAL APARTMENT. No safety or building codes followed. I admit that the Building Inspectors are pompous self righteous ass' but the premise of bldg. & life safety codes is a proven life saver.

This whole story and whatever it was that happned in that basement seems a bit odd too me. Somthing just ain't right.

Yeah sue the town makes sense when it was caused by some moron shooting his stupid rifle in that basement. People filing these lawsuits never cease to amaze.

This is a real tragedy, though I do not understand why the survivors filed a suit against Sharif. If some of Michael's friends had told police that they had seen Michael fire the rifle inside the apartment before and one had indeed gone through the refrigerator and into the wall...either the police got some facts mixed up or the survivors are covering up. Something does not add up.

but millions of people just HANG out in their basements....what do you do then?

And the illegal apartment issue has been around for ages and always will be. Especially on L.I. where the housing is too damn expensive to begin with. The fact that it was illegal had nothing to do with whatever was going on in that apartment. Does anyone think illegal activities don't exist in LEGAL apartments??

Yama wrote:

but millions of people just HANG out in their basements....what do you do then?

Millions of people "DO" hang out in their basements but it is NOT THEIR home... They are down there for a minimal time frame. And, you ask, what do you do then? You STILL think about that you are in a BASEMENT when an emergency "might" occur! Many basements DON'T have door access to the outside either!(what do you do then?)

sean is dreamy!!!

Gee, and I thought it was "normal" to shoot gun's off inside "ones" house.

unless you bought sold or made meth in this so call lab you really have no basis for your claims. the police and fire dept. made a complete investigation of the house, I doubt there has been a huge cover up to hide the truth about the fire. You people need a hobby!! the families of the victims have heard your gossip. While thier child lay suffering they have to hear about how he was a criminal and drug addict injured while cooking meth. The victims and their families have enough to deal with without your petty rambleings. I have been friends with one of the victims for many years and he WAS in the apartment, I have feeling he would know better than those of you making up theses stories who were NEVER INSIDE THE APARTMENT. Oh and MAC unless you've seen this meth lab stop spreading rumors that may hurt the victims and thier families, they've been through enough.

a great job by the centereach fire dept and the other depts that responded.
there is a story about it on centereachs website: centereachfd.org (lastest news)

i was there. i know exactly what happened. it hurts me that people really have to judge that have no idea what happened. thank you to those who "shot down" the meth rumor (no pun intended.) IT IS NOT TRUE. i really appreciate those of you who have not judged us and our situation because it was harsh.

You play with fire, you're going to get burned. No conspiracy, no coverup...its the truth . I'm sorry you can't handle the turth.

Marianna Gardaphe wrote:

i was there. i know exactly what happened. it hurts me that people really have to judge that have no idea what happened. thank you to those who "shot down" the meth rumor (no pun intended.) IT IS NOT TRUE. i really appreciate those of you who have not judged us and our situation because it was harsh.

DRUGS KILL.

Why is it that Newsday removes some posts and not others? Could it be that the truth of this explosion being caused by a drug den/meth lab might reveal Newsday's inaccurate reporting? Isn't the purpose of a forum to air your views whether or not everyone agrees with them? I had no idea that unless you post some sympathetic condolence to the people in the story...you're response will be removed. That's not fair journalism.

Why is it wrote:

Why is it that Newsday removes some posts and not others? Could it be that the truth of this explosion being caused by a drug den/meth lab might reveal Newsday's inaccurate reporting? Isn't the purpose of a forum to air your views whether or not everyone agrees with them? I had no idea that unless you post some sympathetic condolence to the people in the story...you're response will be removed. That's not fair journalism.

I have been writing in this forum on different stories for quite some time - Sometimes positive - Sometimes negative. I have never seen my writings taken out, ever. Maybe you "overstepped" your opinion?!

i am so glad that my best friends are ok. thanks god! lol Love you Mar, Mike, Dave <333

and all who are putting my friends down... dont worry... what goes around come back around..