More than 200 Bayville villagers, friends and neighbors gathered at the Bayville Commons last week for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the victims of two recent fatal house fires in Bayville. The blazes, which occurred on Monday, Nov. 11, and on Wednesday, Nov. 13, claimed the lives of three residents. Walter Baron, 96, and his wife, Sonia Baron, 94, succumbed to injuries sustained in the Nov. 11 blaze.
A village official said the victim of the fatal Nov. 13 fire at 128 Bayville Ave. was identified as 53-year-old Frederick Eugene Derenthal III. Derenthal is survived by his parents, Frederick Jr. and Vicki, and his children Frederick IV, Kaitlyn, Justin and Samantha. He served the New York City Police Department and the United States Army.
“Bayville residents have grappled with tremendous grief and sadness in the days following these tragic house fires,” Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan said. “As we hold the family, friends and loved ones of those who perished close in our hearts and minds, we have an opportunity to draw strength from each other by coming together to mourn the victims, pray for their families, and hopefully begin to heal.”
The Bayville Fire Department was assisted by eight other local departments, which consisted of approximately 20 pieces of apparatus and more than 100 firefighters to battle the Barons’ house fire. Three firefighters were transported to a local hospital for treatment for minor injuries. Three neighboring departments lent their support to the Nov. 13 fire, which claimed the life of Derenthal.
“These volunteer men and women are heroes and I commend them for their service to the village,“ Bayville Mayor Robert De Natale said. He thanked the volunteer firefighters of Bayville Fire Company No. 1 for their valiant and heroic efforts in containing both fires.
The Barons’ daughter, Katherine, briefly spoke to the crowd gathered at the vigil.
“He [Walter] did a lot of things, he was very, very good, he was a good person and my parents shouldn’t have died this way; I don’t know what happened,” she said tearfully.
Following prayers offered by local clergy, Lafazan announced plans for a fire safety forum to be held on Dec. 9 in Bayville. Details will be announced in the upcoming days.
The Oyster Bay Funeral Home has been entrusted with the Barons’ arrangements. A funeral Mass was held on Nov. 23 at St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church in Bayville, followed by interment at Bayville Cemetery.
The Francis P. DeVine Funeral Home in Oyster Bay has been entrusted with Derenthal’s arrangements. Visitation was held on Nov. 18, which included an NYPD Ceremonial service.
