WHITE PLAINS ÑA longtime resident of the YMCA stabbed a security guard to death before setting himself on fire in his room early Saturday, White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong said.
Michael Solomon, 68, of Elmsford died of multiple stab wounds. He worked as a night watchman at the Y for more than 20 years.
The man who set the fire is a 63-year-old, 15-year resident of the Y who apparently had a long running feud with Solomon, police said. They wouldnÕ release his name until his identity was confirmed through dental records.
The two men were found dead after the fire at the five-story brick building on Mamaroneck Avenue.
People living at the YMCAÕ housing facility said they believe the man who set the fire is a former staff member named Eddie, who had been problematic.
ÒeÕ been a problem child at the Y for a long time,Ósaid one man, who declined to identify himself.
Sleeping residents said they were startled awake by a loud bang.
ÒtÕ 3:30 in the morning, I hear an explosion,Óthe man told The Journal News. Ò thought an air conditioner fell out of the window, thatÕ what it sounded like. All of a sudden I smell smoke.Ó
Alarms sounded and about 60 people evacuated the premises.
Chong said the bodies were found after firefighters responded to the building about 4 a.m. Chong said the discovery was being investigated as a Òossible suspicious homicide.Ó
Two bodies were wheeled out on stretchers and placed in a waiting Westchester County medical examinerÕ van, one around 11:20 a.m. and the other about an hour later.
Six firefighters were treated at White Plains Hospital for minor injuries and released, Chong said.
Hours after the fire, dozens of the displaced residents mingled on the sidewalk across from the Y or sat at tables in front of a deli. Several said they heard the loud noise just before they rushed from the building as smoke poured from the third floor. Others described seeing flames and smoke in the south wing.
Joyce Philips served lunches to a line of people at Fair Deal Cafe, across the street from the Y. She said she knew Eddie because heÕ been a regular at the deli for years.
Ò was the only one who took care of him, no one else did,Óshe said, adding that Eddie had a reputation for being ÒastyÓand ÒrrogantÓto other employees and customers.
Òome days were good, other days were bad,Óshe said.
Resident Claire Ettinger said she met Eddie years ago when she used to work out at the Y, where he worked at the time. More recently, he had a security job in White Plains and she would run into him in the neighborhood.
Eddie was talkative and friendly, sometimes a little overbearing, Ettinger said.
Òe was ebullient,Óshe said.
It didnÕ shock her to think that he might be involved in a violent incident because he had begun to drink a lot recently, she said.
Ò donÕ understand what happened,Óshe said.
According to its website, the White Plains YMCA offers short- and long-term lodging for students, seasonal workers, retirees and others in two buildings that also house gym facilities.
The facility housed men only until about a year ago, when women were welcomed, a YMCA staff member said.
About 119 residents live at the older building, where the fire occurred. Tenants pay an average of $600 to $700 a month for a room and have access to a shared kitchen and bathrooms. No guests and no pets are allowed. A newer facility next door has rental units with different setups.
A message left for YMCA Vice President/Executive Director Anthony Montalbano was not returned.
Red Cross spokeswoman Carolyn Sherwin said residents would not be allowed back inside the building Saturday night. The Red Cross provided dinner and an overnight shelter at the White Plains senior center.
People were allowed inside Saturday to get personal items including medication, but werenÕ allowed to stay.
Ò havenÕ slept, I havenÕ showered. WeÕe exhausted,Óone resident said.
The organization provided food, coffee and water at a reception center inside St. MatthewÕ Lutheran Church, across the street from the YMCA. Nurses and mental health counselors were also on hand.
ÒtÕ a sad situation but weÕe taking care of all the residents,ÓSherwin said.
About 15 students whoÕ booked rooms at the Y on Saturday night were relocated, she added.
Glenn Pollack, a Scarsdale psychologist volunteering for the Red Cross, said he was counseling people who appeared to be in shock. Some were in the apartment next door to where the fire occurred and others saw the bodies, he said.
Òhen something like this happens it can be a trauma and then it can trigger previous traumas,Óhe said.
Received on Tue Sep 03 2013 - 19:32:26 EDT