On December 14, Tanya Bathija, 32, was killed in a house fire. Emergency responders responded to the blaze at 2:52 a.m. inside her Dix Hills home.
Despite the attempts to save her by the two responding officers, they were unsuccessful. The officers were taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for smoke inhalation. The Suffolk County Police Department has confirmed that the fire was non-criminal in nature.
Adding to the sorrow are the achievements of Bathija, a well-known philanthropist who was involved in the business community.
Her family owns a chain of Dunkin’ Donuts, a business venture she was poised to assume.
She opened a Dunkin’ Donuts in Bellport and was in the process of opening another Blue Point. She volunteered her time and money with the Bellport and Patchogue chambers of commerce, the Boys and Girls Club and Long Island Head Start.
Her funeral was held Sunday, December 18.
