FAR ROCKAWAY — A fund has been set up to help pay for the funerals of two 4-year-old siblings who died in a house fire that is being investigated because of a delayed ambulance response time.
The Jai’Launi Tinglin and Aniya Tinglin Fund has been set-up through the Rockaway Revitalization and Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization that was established in 1978.
Donations will help cover the funeral costs for the half-siblings, and the remaining money will go toward a college fund for Jai'Launi's twin sister, who was hospitalized in the fire, according to RDRC's director Kevin Alexander.
Aniya and Jai'Launi were staying at a relative's home on Bay 30th Street April 19 when a fire broke out late Saturday night after one of the children was playing with a lighter, according to the FDNY.
Firefighters arrived at the home five minutes after the call was made, but it took 21 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, according to a source. Officials are now investigating that delayed response.
A wake will be held for Aniya on Monday, April 28, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 378 Beach 71st St., in Arverne, according to Alexander. It will be held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m, and a funeral will immediately follow.
Services for Jai'Launi will also be held Monday at the Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave., in Far Rockaway. The wake will held from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., and the funeral will begin at 11:30 a.m.
The Tinglins will be buried together on Tuesday, according to Lisa George, who works for State Sen. James Sanders' office.
Donations can be made to The Jai’Launi Tinglin & Aniya Tinglin Fund through the RDRC, Inc. Checks should be made out to RDRC, Inc., c/o Jai’Launi Tinglin & Aniya Tinglin Fund, 1920 Mott Ave., Far Rockaway, NY 11691. Telephone donations can be made weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., 718-327-5300.
