Remaining 2 victims in deadly Mott Haven arson fire identified
Police identified the victims as 70-year-old Oreste De Leon, 62-year-old Larry Johnson and 57-year-old Gilberto Romero.
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A Mott Haven community is mourning the loss of three men killed in a deli fire last week that investigators say was intentionally set.
Police identified the victims as 70-year-old Oreste De Leon, 62-year-old Larry Johnson and 57-year-old Gilberto Romero.
The fire broke out around 5 a.m. last Wednesday at 2592 Third Ave., where more than 140 first responders battled heavy smoke and flames. De Leon, known to neighbors as “Ordi,” owned the deli that had served the community for decades.
“Everybody loved Ordi,” said Light, a longtime tenant who lives across the street and grew up close to De Leon’s family.
Light described De Leon as the neighborhood handyman — the person people called when something broke.
Fire marshals arrested 45-year-old Daniel Santana, of Castle Hill. He is charged with three counts of murder and arson. Investigators allege Santana used gasoline to intentionally set the blaze.
Light said he still looks out his window every day at what used to be a place full of memories.
“He’s just probably a casualty of someone who was angry with the world,” Light said.
Neighbors say they are left grieving — and questioning why someone with no apparent ties to the neighborhood would carry out such a deadly act.
