Friends, family remember fire victims

May 23--PLATTSBURGH -- Adam Lesperance of Plattsburgh said Geoffrey A. Brenno, his cousin, would do anything for anyone.

"His enormous smile and colorful personality were contagious," he said.

"He was the kindest-hearted guy you could meet and he always went out of his way to help others.

"He exemplified what it means to make the best of the trials life put you through."

LOVED

Brenno and Joseph Congelosi, both 34, died in a fire that decimated the brick structure at 220 Margaret St. where they both lived Sunday.

Plattsburgh City Police Chief Desmond Racicot said Brenno was a substitute teacher at Stafford Middle School and Congelosi worked at Ufirst Federal Credit Union.

Ufirst posted a tribute to Congelosi on their Facebook page Sunday evening, noting that "with a flash of his smile or funny anecdote that was so Joe, he could make any one of his co-workers or members feel instantly comfortable."

Steffan Boulé, a long-time family friend of Congelosi's, remembers him as a "fair and kind" person with a good sense of humor.

"He preferred to spend his money on experiences rather than stuff," he said. "I always heard about his trips to Europe and NYC (New York City) and not about a fancy car.

"He was loved."

Since posting about the tragedy on Facebook Sunday morning, Boulé noted, "I've received messages from almost 10 people about his passing.

"He's survived by many people who took strength in him, and so leaves their world in a fragile state."

AFFECTED STREET

David Drollette, who lives farther north on Margaret Street, described the blaze as an inferno.

Sirens woke him up around 4 a.m., and a cop car parked outside his house had its emergency lights going.

"Everybody on the street was hoping people would survive," his girlfriend, Robin Cosores, said. "It was the saddest thing."

She remembers seeing an elderly woman walking up the road and crying.

A police officer took her aside and a young woman was comforting her.

"It affected this whole street," Cosores said.

The two also saw both hearses arrive outside the charred building.

Drollette added that all kinds of emergency vehicles, including ladder trucks and a cannon truck, responded.

"There were so many people trying to help," Cosores said. "Losing two was awful."

THICK SMOKE

Timothy McDonough, also a Margaret Street resident, watched the fire until the smoke and smell became too thick for his asthma.

He saw flames shoot out from the roof, the middle of which was left with a gaping hole, and said firefighters used so much water it poured off like a water slide.

"You could tell from the back (on Miller Street) it was a total loss."

While taking a video of the fire before law enforcement surrounded the area with crime scene tape, McDonough spoke to two of the building's tenants who had escaped.

"He said, 'I wonder if they got out,'" McDonough said, adding that the woman appeared to be holding a couple sets of clothes.

HOUSES CLOSE

McDonough's neighbors, Spencer Bryan and Kelly Martin, said emergency vehicles lined the street all the way up to their apartment.

"I'm thankful for the firemen and police," Martin said. "It could've spread so quickly; our houses are so close together."

McDonough watched the smoke shift in color from gray to black as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

"It's a sad situation to wake up to," he said.

YELLING

Joanne Zatonski, who lives across the street, heard someone yelling, "Stop! Stop!"

She went out on her porch and saw a taxi outside the burning structure.

"I've never seen a building on fire before."

Many people gathered outside watching the fire, Zatonski added.

"The flames were horrible."

"Thank God none of the firemen lost their lives," fellow Margaret Street resident Donna Trombley said.

WELL-INFORMED

Jason Pageau, who lives next door to 220 Margaret Street, was only asleep for about 45 minutes when he was awakened by his roommates banging on his door telling him to get up.

They, along with their dog, ran outside; officers were in the nearby yard checking on everyone.

"They kept us really well-informed," Pageau said.

Though flames were coming over his house, firefighters were able to keep them contained.

"There was no damage, but there's some smoke smell in our house. We have the windows open."

TOOK TO HEART

Pageau said he and his two roommates planned to get renters insurance Monday.

"We just took it into our hearts. All our stuff could've been gone."

"Lovely neighbors" across the street took the trio in, offering them coffee and a place to warm up.

"It brought everyone together," the one-year resident said.

Pageau said he was still in shock and anxious Sunday afternoon, even after the road was reopened and firefighters had knocked down the flames.

"It's so sad. Our prayers go out to the family and friends.

"I hope they can get through it."

-- Staff Writer Ashleigh Livingston contributed to this report

Email Cara Chapman:

[email protected]

Twitter: @PPR_carachapman

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