NEW YORK (TNND) — A house fire in New York that killed four people, including a 3-year-old girl, has been ruled a homicide by the chief medical examiner, authorities said.
New York house fire ruled a homicide after 4 killed, including 3-year-old girl: police (Video: New York Fire Department)
The New York Police Department on Friday said Sihan Yang, 3, and Chengri Cui, 50, both of Queens, died in the fire. Police said a 61-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man also died, but their identities were not released, pending family notification.
Yang and Cui, as well as the 61-year-old woman, were pronounced dead at the scene, while the 63-year-old died at an area hospital.
The fire broke out on March 16 around 12:30 p.m. in a three-story building in Queens, fire officials previously said. The building housed a business on the ground floor, with residential apartments above.
The flames forced some residents to jump from windows to escape the heat and smoke.
“Upon arrival, we had heavy fire on all three floors of this building. In addition to that, we noticed three jumpers, three people that jumped from the upper floors, three victims. There was also a victim trapped at the second floor, which our members removed via portable ladder,” New York Fire Department Chief Kevin Woods previously told reporters during a news conference.
The blaze quickly escalated to a four-alarm fire, drawing about 230 firefighters and emergency personnel to the scene. Thick smoke and intense flames spread rapidly through the building, trapping some occupants inside.
Firefighters battled the blaze for more than two hours under dangerous conditions. Several other people, including a few firefighters, were hurt during the response, including some who were temporarily trapped when a staircase collapsed.
Four people were hurt and taken to a hospital, where they were listed in stable condition, police said.
The fire was eventually brought under control.
“We’re mourning the loss of four New Yorkers after today’s devastating four-alarm fire in Flushing,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a post on X the day of the fire. “My heart is with their families, loved ones and every neighbor impacted.”Thank you to the FDNY firefighters and EMS workers who rushed in within minutes, risking their lives to rescue residents and bring the fire under control,” Mamdani added.
Police said the fire marshal will determine the cause of the fire. There are no arrests at this time, said police, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.