Former magazine editor and her mother among the 3 people killed in Inwood fire
NYC sued landlord last week over adjacent property
INWOOD, Manhattan (WABC) -- A journalist and her mother were among the three people killed while trying to escape a devastating fire at an apartment building in Inwood on Monday.
There is a moving tribute on the homepage of People en Español to Yolaine Diaz, the 48-year-old fashion and beauty editor killed in the overnight fire.
"Unfortunately, we found out by the news when it was already out there," said the victim's cousin, Ylka Diaz. "The minute they said a mother, my phone just dropped because I already knew that was my cousin."
Diaz and her 73-year-old mother Ana Mirtha Lantigua were two of the three people who could not escape the fast-moving flames. The mother and daughter got trapped in a sixth-floor stairwell.
"I had hoped she was one of the ones in the hospital," Diaz said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but just last week, the city filed a lawsuit against the same landlord for the adjacent property, 209 Dyckman Street, seeking to "impose civil penalties against them for failing to repair dangerous conditions" which include, "fire hazards such as obstructions to egress, broken flame retardant in a common area of the building... mice, roaches, rampant water leaks... and missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors."
The 22-page lawsuit documented the dangerous conditions with photos.
Diaz was born in the Dominican Republic, moved to New York as a teenager and started out as an intern at People en Espanol, and worked her way up the ranks.
She's being remembered for her authenticity, intensity and signature style.
"She always loved knowing everything about people and being out there, and she did it, all her life," Diaz said.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts on the go
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
