Memorial Appears At Franchezka Unisex Salon, Owned By Woman Who Died In Borough Park Apartment Explosion

Just about everyone stopped at the storefront. Expressions were a mix of shock and sadness. One father did his best to explain what had happened to his son. “She’s gone.” he said.

“Why?” asked his son.

“I can’t say,” responded his father.

A memorial of flowers, candles, and balloons is slowly growing in front of Franchezka Unisex Salon (500 5th Avenue near 12th Street). It’s the business that Francisca Figueroa owned and operated before she died in the apartment building explosion that took place on Saturday, October 2 on 13th Avenue near 42nd Street in the Borough Park neighborhood.

Figueroa’s body was found in the apartment rubble on Monday, October 5.

An employee at Azena Jewelry — which is right next door to the salon — would not comment or give his name. An employee at Edible Arrangements — the business on the other side of the salon — said she had not met Figueroa.

Nicholas Bediako, who is a customer service employee at nearby Max Beauty Supply and Salon (494 5th Avenue near 12th Street), saw Figueroa often because she would purchase supplies from the store. “She was very friendly. She would come in everyday — maybe three or four times a day.” Bediako last saw Figueroa on Thursday, October 1. “It was the last time I saw her,” he said. “She seemed so normal.”

“Investigators are probing whether she used chemicals from her nearby Franchezka Unisex Salon to create the explosion that tore off the front the building,” writes The Daily News.

The investigation doesn’t seem to be on the mind of the passersby. Some are focused on stopping to have a quiet moment. Others stopped to leave a candle and say a prayer. The loss of Figueroa’s life resonates on 5th Avenue.