After the Fire: A True Story of Friendship and Survival

by Robin Gaby Fisher

On January 19, 2000, a fire raged through Seton Hall University's freshman dormitory, killing three students and injuring 58 others. Among the victims were Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos, roommates from poor neighborhoods who made their families proud by getting into college. They managed to escape, but both were burned terribly.

After the Fire is the story of these young men and their courageous fight to recover from the worst damage the burn unit at Saint Barnabas hospital had ever seen. It is the story of the extraordinary doctors and nurses who work with the burned. It is the story of mothers and fathers, of faith and family and the invisible ties that bind us to each other. It is the story of the search for the arsonists - and the elaborate cover-up that nearly obscured the truth. And it is the story of the women who came to love these men, who knew that real beauty is a thing not seen in mirrors.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, Medical, Journalism

261 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2004

About the author

Robin Gaby Fisher is a news feature writer for The Star-Ledger in Newark, New Jersey's largest daily newspaper. She specializes in telling stories about regular people living through extraordinary circumstances. She has twice been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing, in 2001 and 2005. She has been the recipient of the National Headliner Award and the Nieman Foundation at Harvard's Taylor Family Award for Fairness in Newspapers. She lives with her family in New Jersey and Vermont.

"After the Fire" is her first book.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read, but horrifying and infuriating. In January of 2000, two students at Seton Hall University in New Jersey started a fire in a dorm that killed three students and injured 58. This book follows the recovery of two of the worst burned. The author goes into a lot of detail about the treatment of burns and the various ways that people end up in the burn unit. I could have lived without the descriptions of children who ended up in the burn unit because of horrific abuse. That alone was enough to make me want to hurt someone, but the way parents and friends of the arsonists circled the wagons around them so that police couldn't make a case against them made me sick. It finally took a tip from a mafia informant to break the case. The author also does a good job of being fair to Alvaro's girlfriend Angie. Ultimately she was too young and too traumatized to deal with the stress of his long recovery and permanent disfigurement. She could have easily been demonized for leaving him when he was so vulnerable, but I ended up feeling sorry for her and feeling that she was just another victim.

[Noelle Kukenas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of two incredibly brave young men who were burned terribly in the Seton Hall Fire of 2000. While parts of the story were difficult to get through (graphic descriptions of their treatments in the 'tank room' of the burn unit), I couldn't put the book down (except to work and really had no choice in the matter) and read the book in two days. Well written by a woman who documents details of the incredible journey these two young men traveled, including insight into the amazing and miraculous world of the burn unit and its staff at St Barnabas' Hospital. I shall not forget these courageous young men or the totally committed medical staff who treated them; their stories have made me even more aware of fire safety and bring a new perspective on not giving up just because something is tough.

[Coco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't know why I didn't love this book. The other reviews are glowing and the story is certainly captivating, but for some reason, it just didn't grab me. It seemed like a surface reporting of the facts and didn't really delve down into the raw emotions. The characters were very black and white, reminiscent of a magazine or newspaper article. The book was interesting and the story, of a fire at Seton Hall's freshman dorm, is well chronicled. The friendship that grows between two of the badly burned survivors is inspirational, just not quite as amazing as I was hoping it would be. My favorite parts are when the author describes the special doctors and nurses who work on the burn unit. She really brings them to life and it was fascinating to get a glimpse into the heartwrenching work they do.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two weeks ago I attended a required assembly with my mostly college bound seniors. The speakers were Shawn Simmons and Alvaro Llanos, two survivors from the Seton Hall University dorm fire of January, 2000. Their presentation consisted of a documentary and a question and answer session with students and teachers.

The presentation was fabulous. I've attended plenty of assemblies over my years as a teacher and student, and this one was the best. Shawn and Alvaro kept us engaged for two full hours. They told their stories, shared sensible safety tips that I wish everybody knew, and were able to relate to 18 year olds.

After the assembly I, along with several students, stayed behind to meet with the speakers, who were super friendly. I was also able to buy a copy of After the Fire: A True Story of Friendship and Survival.
The book -- which is far more journalistic than inspirational in style -- delves into every aspect of the lives of two first year students whose lives were changed irreparably due to a stupid prank. The author presents her subjects sympathetically and does not have to go out of her way to illustrate how Shawn, Alvaro, their parents, and their doctors are heroic and inspirational.

[adri♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story, these men came to my school and they are just wonderful souls. I just wish the book read a little less like an article.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Fire: A True Story of Friendship and Survival

In January of 2000, a fire spread throughout the freshman dorm at Seton Hall, killing three and burning scores of others. This book follows the recovery and turmoil caused to two roommates that were burned in that fire. The Boland Hall fire was set by two students for reasons still unknown and unclear. Yet, the book focuses on the recovery and friendship of Shaw and Alvaro, two roommates caught in the blaze.
The story is sad, yet uplifting and eventually happy. To get there you have to endure the struggles in the burn center and the investigation into the fire that pits police against soulless monsters that inhabit our youth. The accomplishments of Shawn and Alvaro are truly uplifting and the angelic work of the Doctors and nurses at Saint Barnabas make this book a real pleasure to read. The author chose the perfect voice for her work, she could have turned this story into a dark tale of evil, but the goodness of the people really stand out.

[Britni · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are times in each of our lives that we'll never forget. The moment you found out about planes crashing into the World Trade Center, the day Princess Diana died, etc. The moments that you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. After the Fire is about one of those moments for students at Seton Hall University in 2000 when a fire started in the middle of the night, killing three students and injuring a dozen others. After the Fire follows the true story of the struggles and triumphs of two of those students, Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons, as they recovered from the tragedy.

A book written by Gaby Fisher, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, this book is extremely well written and gives you an insight into an event that many of us probably didn't even know happened. It's a somewhat difficult read, similar to Columbine, as you read through the true accounts of the boys' tough recovery, but if you're up for it, the value and message of finding hope and beauty when it seems like there is none, is worth the time it takes to get through the 200 pages.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hard story to read, I really didn't realize what I was getting myself into. I saw this book recommended somewhere and put it on my to buy list and finally got around to getting it recently, but I didn't remember what it was about. It is the hard true story about two students who were severely burned by a dorm fire at Seton Hall. It was unbelievably painful to read, as it goes into detail about the treatments they go through, and so on. I found myself tearing up by page 14, and multiple times throughout the book I just wanted to cry for them. It was interesting to read, and I definitely read it quickly because I wanted to know what happened, but it was hard to get through.

[Asher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This drew me in from the first pages and kept me reading compulsively. A horrifying dorm fire leaves two roommates burned, but not broken. Their friendship is strong and helps them both to heal.

Amazing details about surviving horrible burns, working in the burn unit of a hospital, and how a tragedy like this affects so many people.

You will want to buy an escape ladder and a fire extinguisher (or several) for your house after reading.

[Farrah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a quick and easy read about something I knew nothing about (the Seton Hall dorm fire that killed three and injured about 50 others) but I'm not sure it needed to have an entire book written about it - seemed more suited like a long form magazine article. Also I thought the author was remiss in not including more about the perpetrators and the arson investigation. I will say though that it offered a lot of insight into what burn victims have to go through in their recovery process.

[Rhonda]

Recommended in the Rocky Mountain News as touted by the publicists at the recent BookExpo in Los Angeles.

[Erin Predmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick, great read! Talk about some amazing boys.

[Robyn Dones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in 2008

[Heather Jaynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a very sad story, makes me think of a friend's brother who was a victim of a fire and what it must have been like for their family. Gives you new appreciation of what burn victims endure.

[Kirk Domenico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ίσως το καλύτερο βιβλίο που διάβασα φέτος .
Χρειάζεσαι όμως αντοχές για να το ζήσεις.

[Sarah R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so healing in the wake of the recent LA Fires and highly recommend.

When there are fires and fire injuries, I think many people's first thought (including my own) goes to the possessions lost or housing lost. This response of "wow I can't imagine losing a home like that / what would I take with me if this happened / maybe I should really declutter and organize what's really important to me etc." and that's all great but no one thinks about what it's like to be burned, to have a lifelong journey tied to one fateful night. The material is a shell, and honestly so is our outer appearance. It is the intangible, the courage, the grit, the will to thrive and to love again that makes someone who they are.

One of my favorite parts was the intimate portraits of the burn unit staff at St. Barnabas and their fears. They are all actively running fire drills in their families and worried about buildings being up to codes, ordering emergency ladders for their son's dorm. This speaks to the grueling and all-consuming nature of the work they do - but in the face of what could be despair they face it with a love of life. This book showed me once again that magic is in the mundane, the showing up, the calling, the preventative maintenance, the driving around the neighborhood looking for a fire because your son had nightmares his week home from the hospital. Love is timeless and ubiquitous, much like the friendship bond between Alvaro and Shawn.

As an alum of Seton Hall in the 20-teens I had heard about the fire and even lived on the third floor of Boland Hall my freshmen year but boy did the gravitas go over my head back then. In these times filled with uncertainty this book grounded me in the way true human connection does - I felt as though I was reading a masterclass in being a human. It came as no surprise that Alvaro and the "Superman" Reeve trained at the same rehabilitation gym.

This book held up a mirror. For all the grace, compassion, and how I was rooting for the two friends to make it, to pursue passion and life no matter if their timeline looked different than their peers. If I can genuinely feel that for two people and two families, I've never met then I need to be ready to give it to myself and keep moving forward no matter the stretching pain or the fear of what others will say.

So, to the author, to the baseball legends that took a detour, to their moms Daisy and Christine, to my alma mater Seton Hall, to my amazing roommates over the 4 years there, and to the team of angels that made it possible for this book to reach me at a free little library in Southern California when I needed it most - thank you! and LET'S GO METS!

[Kiyoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story that grabbed me from the first page. Read in a single sitting, it pulled me into the narrative and didn't let go until the final page. Simply and cleanly written, the personalities of the main characters are evident. Although this is a tale of physical, mental, and emotional misery it is also a tribute to the human spirit. Details of what is required to survive being burned alive are present but not in a way that gave me nightmares.

The humanity of those who could only helplessly look on is shown without judgement or spin. Alvaro's girlfriend is allowed to be who she is, in that moment, without castigating her actions. The unraveling of Alvaro's parents emotions show their disoriented anguish and protective love.

The book does not go into significant detail about the perpetrators of the fire that impacted these two men's lives, except through investigative facts, and how these victims dealt with the results of the plea bargain.

This story gives us the opportunity to be part of the courage of these two men and their families. It is presented in a positive light. Some may think this is an injustice, for certainly there must have been dark days and weeks, anger and pity and fear, and the book does not dwell there. Life isn't fair. It is full of suffering and injustice and unanswered prayers. And sometimes, there is healing.

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been more than 18 years since a fire swept through a dormitory at Seton Hall University, killing three and injuring scores more. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on after the attention-deficit media has packed up and moved on to the next horror, you can find examples of that in this touching book about two roommates who became close friends after the crisis.

Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos were a couple of guys from not-so-great neighborhoods who wanted to pursue degrees and make their families proud of their accomplishments. Early on a January morning, the two were victimized by a fire that swept through their dorm and caused their burns to be the most severe ever treated at Saint Barnabas hospital. Essentially, this is the story of second chances and friendships that survive the worst adversities.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was assigned reading for one of my graduate school courses, however, I couldn't put it down! I plowed through it in a single day.

While the topics were heavy, the writing was light and engaging. It dug deep to the core of how a single incident can heavily impact a number of lives. For students studying occupational therapy, this book provides a client-centered look at burn care (however, the role of OT is not heavily discussed). Additionally, it presents a plethora of information that could be beneficial when learning how to fill out occupational profiles.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving story about family, friendship, love and pain. I suppose our move from Moscow to Vienna prevented our paying much mind to the fire at Seton Hall, so this story was some revelatory to me. And now we have a granddaughter heading off to a dorm room at college, so without scaring my family too badly I probably need to recommend this book; if for no other reason than that our granddaughter seems to have fallen into a great roommate. The roommates, Shawn Simons and Alvaro Lianos, love for one another seems a big part of their dealing with their serious, life-changing burns.

Well done!

[Adrian Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about how Alvaro and Shawn got through this tragic event together as brothers. It's also nice to know about this event because I will also be attending Seton Hall come this fall and I also plan on dorming there as well. This book really gave me insight on how safety protocols have improved and how we can do more to prevent such events from happening again. I met Alvaro and Shawn when they spoke at my school and they are very genuine and helpful and only want the best for all students of all grade levels.

[Elba M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading it. My heart and soul were aching all the time. Is not just the injustice done to the families of the three death students and the slap in the face for the survivors, when they plea bargain the guilty ones. But this my anger speaking.
But the rest of me is at awe with the story of Shawn and Alvaro and their families. Is difficult not to stare but they gave us permission to ask. I don't believe that everyone will be as straightforward as they were.
I learned that the body is just a shell that can be broken but are still who we are. That never changes.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 2008, 8 years after the deadly Seton Hall dorm room fire, a local reporter who had covered the stories of badly burned roommates expanded on their stories of healing with this heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful book. After finishing it I was able to find additional updates and interviews from the friends in 2020, in coverage at the 20 year mark.

My only slight disappointment was not getting more about the university's response, but I was looking for that mainly because of my career covering higher ed. At least sprinkler systems are more consistently found in dorms now.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

this story is very impactful. i learned a lot about the Seton Hall fire when i previously knew almost nothing about it. i also learned how grueling the healing process from burns can be. i just felt like the writing style was very bland. there was a lot of jumping around to other people’s povs and i had a hard time remembering who was who and what was their importance to the story. i think Shawn and Alvaro are so strong and i’m glad i read their story

[Nila Novotny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of a fire at a dorm at Seton Hall University in New Jersey in 2000. Three students died in the fire and the story tells of two roommates who the survived and their long road after the fire. The book starts out at the fire and the harrowing ordeal of escape so it's hard to put down, especially at the beginning. It was a good read.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story of two boys who survived horrific odds. After a fire breaks out in their dorm just a few months into their freshman year, roommates Alvaro and Shawn are severely burned and near death. The story is one of strength and the deep bond of friendship by two young men who survive under the hardest of circumstances.

[Marcus Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book when my students at Nichols College were reading it but got too busy. I picked it up last night and could not stop reading it. Excellent non-fiction narrative about Seton Hall University dormitory fire in January 2000.

[Ariana Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shawn and Alvaro visited my high school to share their story and advise us on fire safety while in college. This book is one of the most inspiring and moving novels I have ever read. Definitely recommend!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of horror and intense prolonging courage.

[T]

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