NYC Fire That Killed Little Girl, 2 Others Was Intentional

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What to Know

  • Fire marshals announced Thursday that the fatal Queens fire that claimed the lives of three people was a work of arson[hhmc]

  • The fire claimed the lives of 3, including a 6-year-old girl and her great-grandfather, and left two other family members clinging to life[hhmc]

  • FDNY was called just after 4 p.m. Wednesday to the fire burning in two-story home on 93rd Street; it's unclear if authorities have a suspect[hhmc]

Fire marshals announced Thursday that the fatal Queens fire that claimed the lives of three people, including a 6-year-old girl and her great-grandfather, and left two other members of their family clinging to life, was a work of an arson after "ignitable liquid was used an an accelerant."

Firefighters were called just after 4 p.m. Wednesday to a fire burning in a two-story home on 93rd Street in East Elmhurst, said NYPD Chief Daniel Nigro. Responders were at the scene just minutes later, and found two people had escaped the flames. They were rushed to the hospital in extremely critical condition, Nigro said.

Three people were still inside the house as the fire raged. Firefighters battled to put out the inferno, and located the three inside.

A 6-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, said Nigro. She was visiting from the Dominican Republic with her mother and baby brother, a source familiar with the investigation said.

3 Killed, Including Child, in Queens House Fire

[NY] 3 Killed, Including Child, in Queens House Fire

Two adults later died at the hospital, one of whom was the girl's 70-year-old great-grandfather who lived at the house, a source told News 4.

The girl's 10-month-old brother and her mother remain in extremely critical condition. The child has burns to 98 percent of his body, while his mother has burns on 80 percent of her body.

It is unclear if authorities have a suspect in the arson. However, a source close to the investigation said Wednesday the fire is believed to have been started by a 23-year-old guest who did not live there, but was allowed to Read More – Source

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