A tenant critically injured in a July 4th fire in New York Chinatown has died, according to a Go Fund Me campaign organized by local activist Karlin Chan.
Frank Yee lived in the apartment directly above Yu & Me Books which suffered significant smoke and water damage and is expected to be closed for at least a year for repairs, according to Lucy Yu, owner of Yu & Me Books.
She told AsAmNews that the fire started in Yee’s apartment.
“I have known Frank some 40 years from the neighborhood and since Frank had no known family I became his health care advocate at the hospital and eventually made his funeral arrangements,” said Chan on his Go Fund Me.
He said the Celestial Foundation has agreed to pay for Yee’s funeral and final resting place. However, he said he is raising money for a grave marker and other costs through the non-profit, Chinatown Mural Project.
AsAmNews reached out to both the New York City medical examiner’s officer and the Fire Department of New York this morning for additional information, but have not heard back.
Yee is believed to be in his 70’s.
24 hours after the campaign began, the GoFundMe had raised $2400 towards its $6,000 goal.
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