Maryland sisters, 21 and 19, are killed in Hamptons house fire despite father trying to save them

A house fire on Long Island in the early hours of Wednesday morning left two young sisters from Maryland dead.

Jillian and Lindsay Wiener, 21 and 19, were fast asleep at around 3:30 a.m. in the family’s vacation home in Noyack Bay on Long Island when it caught fire. 

Lewis Wiener, the girls’ 60-year-old father, a senior partner with the global law firm Eversheds Sutherland and a beloved member and leader of the family’s synagogue, was awoken by the sound of broken glass and immediately attempted to evacuate his family. 

Fire officials in the area all say the house was fully engulfed in flames by the time they got to the house on Spring Lane.

However, while Lewis’ wife, 52-year-old Alisa Wiener and son, 23-year-old Zachary, were both able to get out, Jillian and Lindsay were trapped in their upstairs bedroom, according to WUSA. 

A lieutenant with local police said that Zachary had to jump out of a second-floor window of the 1,624-square-foot, three-bedroom home to safety, the East Hampton Star reported. 

The home is listed for about $1.8million on Zillow, with rent running you about $26,000 a month.  

Jillian and Lindsay Wiener, 21 and 19, were fast asleep at around 3:30 a.m. in the family's vacation home in Noyack Bay on the island when it caught fire

Jillian and Lindsay Wiener, 21 and 19, were fast asleep at around 3:30 a.m. in the family’s vacation home in Noyack Bay on the island when it caught fire

The family of five was known to vacation at this home in the Long Island Hamptons town of Noyack Bay, listed on Zillow in the range of $2million

The family of five was known to vacation at this home in the Long Island Hamptons town of Noyack Bay, listed on Zillow in the range of $2million

A lieutenant with local police said that Zachary had to jump out of a second-floor window of the 1,624-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2 bath home to safety. The three surviving family members were treated for minor injuries

A lieutenant with local police said that Zachary had to jump out of a second-floor window of the 1,624-square-foot, three-bedroom, 2 bath home to safety. The three surviving family members were treated for minor injuries 

Lewis Wiener, the girls' 60-year-old father (pictured center), was awoken by the sound of broken glass and immediately attempted to evacuate his family

Lewis Wiener, the girls’ 60-year-old father (pictured center), was awoken by the sound of broken glass and immediately attempted to evacuate his family

Lindsay, 19, was weeks shy of starting her sophomore year at Tulane University in New Orleans. Her high school described her as 'a bright spirit and a leader, who was also dedicated to service, particularly getting young people involved in politics and generally promoting volunteerism.' She served as president of the Community Service Club and Jewish Culture Club

Lindsay, 19, was weeks shy of starting her sophomore year at Tulane University in New Orleans. Her high school described her as ‘a bright spirit and a leader, who was also dedicated to service, particularly getting young people involved in politics and generally promoting volunteerism.’ She served as president of the Community Service Club and Jewish Culture Club

Jillian, 21, was about to begin her senior year at the University of Michigan, where she was an earth and environmental science student. An e-mail sent out by her high school said Jillian was a soccer and ice hockey player as well as an artist, and her passions were yoga and community service

Jillian, 21, was about to begin her senior year at the University of Michigan, where she was an earth and environmental science student. An e-mail sent out by her high school said Jillian was a soccer and ice hockey player as well as an artist, and her passions were yoga and community service

Lt. Susan Ralph said in a statement: ‘The father awakened to the sound of glass breaking and alerted the family to get out. The father and wife escaped the home. When they realized the children hadn’t exited the home, the father attempted to gain entry back in; however, the flames prevented him from gaining access.’

The girls' father, Lewis, is the president of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, a group that refers to itself as a 'progressive, inclusive, caring, and compassionate, we embrace our connection to Reform Judaism and the warmth and wonder of God'

The girls’ father, Lewis, is the president of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, a group that refers to itself as a ‘progressive, inclusive, caring, and compassionate, we embrace our connection to Reform Judaism and the warmth and wonder of God’

Local officials have said that the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious, according to the New York Post. 

Local fire chief Kevin O’Brien Jr. said that upon arrival, firefighters tried to enter the house but were pushed back by the flames.  

Jillian was about to begin her senior year at the University of Michigan, where she was an earth and environmental science student, according to her LinkedIn. While her younger sister Lindsay was just weeks shy of starting her sophomore year at Tulane University in New Orleans. 

An e-mail sent out by the girls’ high school, Holtern-Arms in Maryland, said Jillian was a soccer and ice hockey player as well as an artist, and her passions were yoga and community service. She would teach yoga to younger students as a licensed instructor.

The school described Lindsay as ‘a bright spirit and a leader, who was also dedicated to service, particularly getting young people involved in politics and generally promoting volunteerism.’ She served as president of the Community Service Club and Jewish Culture Club.

The e-mail to the school community read: ‘Jillian and Lindsay’s passing is a great loss to the Holton-Arms community and both will be deeply missed by their family, friends, and the school community’. 

Their father, Lewis, is the president of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, a group that refers to itself as a ‘progressive, inclusive, caring, and compassionate, we embrace our connection to Reform Judaism and the warmth and wonder of God.’

He’s also a trial attorney and previously spent six years working for the Department of Justice. 

The family’s Maryland synagogue said in a statement: ‘The world has lost two beautiful lights today, and the Washington Hebrew Congregation community is heartbroken. Through their leadership and service, acts of kindness, and friendship, the Wiener family – Lewis, Alisa, Zach, Jillian, and Lindsay – has touched so many lives at Washington Hebrew.’

Lt. Susan Ralph said in a statement: 'The father awakened to the sound of glass breaking and alerted the family to get out. The father and wife escaped the home. When they realized the children hadn't exited the home, the father attempted to gain entry back in; however, the flames prevented him from gaining access'

Lt. Susan Ralph said in a statement: ‘The father awakened to the sound of glass breaking and alerted the family to get out. The father and wife escaped the home. When they realized the children hadn’t exited the home, the father attempted to gain entry back in; however, the flames prevented him from gaining access’ 

Local officials have said that the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious but local officials say it remains under investigation

Local officials have said that the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious but local officials say it remains under investigation

Lewis, Alisa and Zachary Wiener were all hospitalized with what officials called non-life threatening injuries.  

The family was known to vacation at this home in the Long Island Hamptons town of Noyack Bay.

Police said it was unclear why the home was listed on Zillow. Police told Newsday the home had been rented but said there was no known relationship between the Wieners and the listed owners of record, while the town’s emergency management administrator said there was no rental permit on file and no safety inspection taken place that would have been a part of an application for one.

Goli Azhdam, a family friend, said: ‘My heart is just full of sadness hearing this news. I knew them since they were born and it’s truly shocking. Truly, extremely sad news.’

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

The sisters (Lindsay left and Jillian right) were only two years apart in age and both attended the private Holton-Arms School in Bethesda Maryland for high school. Their father, Lewis Wiener, serves on the school's board of trustees

The sisters (Lindsay left and Jillian right) were only two years apart in age and both attended the private Holton-Arms School in Bethesda Maryland for high school. Their father, Lewis Wiener, serves on the school’s board of trustees

Lindsay Wiener, 19, was about to start her sophomore year at Tulane University

Lindsay was a member of Tulane's Kappa sorority, according to her Instagram

Lindsay Wiener graduated high school in 2021

Jillian, 21, was about to start her senior year the University of Michigan at the time of her death

The rising senior recently spent a semester abroad with the School for Field Studies in Turks and Caicos studying Marine Resource Studies

Older sister Jillian, 21, shared many pictures from her summer on the east coast before she was killed in a fire in her family’s Hamptons vacation home on August 3

Neighbors of the family in Potomac, Maryland, say they are beloved in the community.  Father Lewis Wiener is an attorney and president of Washington Hebrew Congregation where he's been a member since 1985 and a member of the board of directors since 2012

Neighbors of the family in Potomac, Maryland, say they are beloved in the community.  Father Lewis Wiener is an attorney and president of Washington Hebrew Congregation where he’s been a member since 1985 and a member of the board of directors since 2012

The family's Maryland synagogue said in a statement: 'The world has lost two beautiful lights today, and the Washington Hebrew Congregation community is heartbroken. Through their leadership and service, acts of kindness, and friendship, the Wiener family - Lewis, Alisa, Zach, Jillian, and Lindsay – has touched so many lives at Washington Hebrew'

The family’s Maryland synagogue said in a statement: ‘The world has lost two beautiful lights today, and the Washington Hebrew Congregation community is heartbroken. Through their leadership and service, acts of kindness, and friendship, the Wiener family – Lewis, Alisa, Zach, Jillian, and Lindsay – has touched so many lives at Washington Hebrew’

source: dailymail.co.uk