An unattended lit menorah sparked a fire that killed a mother and three children and left their father and two teen siblings in critical condition. Michael George reports.
What to Know
- At least four people, three kids and their mother, have died after a fire broke out inside a home early Monday in Brooklyn, firefighters say
- Ten other people were injured; three are in critical condition, and seven, including five firefighters and two boys, suffered minor injuries
- Fire officials said on Monday evening that the blaze was likely sparked by an unattended menorah.
An unattended lit menorah sparked a fast-moving fire that killed a mother and three children, ages 11, 7 and 3, and left their father and two teen siblings in critical condition, a fire official said.
Firefighters arrived within 3 minutes of getting a call about the 2:30 a.m. blaze on East 14th Street in Sheepshead Bay, but officials say flames were already consuming all three floors of the building.
Aliza Azan, 39, was dead on the second floor of the single-family home, near the children who perished: 11-year-old Moshe; 7-year-old Yitzah and 3-year-old Henrietta.
The kids' 45-year-old father and his teenage son, along with a 16-year-old who was spending the night, were critically injured, officials said; seven others, including five firefighters and two boys, had minor injuries.
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the mother and father lived inside the house with their six children. The cousin was visiting for the night, Nigro said. Nine people were in the house at the time of the blaze, Nigro said.
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The blaze took about two hours to contain. Dramatic photos from the aftermath showed the home completely gutted as emergency crews crowded the scene.
"This is a terrible tragedy, not just for this community, but for our city," Nigro said. "This time of year, when these things strike, it just tears your heart out for the family."
He added, "Our city grieves with this family today."
Nigro said a preliminary investigation indicates a smoke alarm was activated, which may have alerted two survivors. He said no smoke detector was recovered, but witnesses reported hearing the alarm.
On Monday night, hundreds of neighbors, family members, friends and other mourners gathered near the home to remember the mother and three children.
"Any time a tragedy like this happens, it's devastating," said family friend Nathan Rudy.
He added, "It's a loss for everyone."
