CBS 2 – October 07, 2014
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Two children were killed, and three firefighters and another resident were hospitalized, when a fire broke out in Monday evening St. Albans, Queens.
The fire was reported shortly after 7:10 p.m. at a residence at 188-19 Tioga Dr. in Queens, the FDNY told CBS 2.
FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief James Leonard said at a news conference that the FDNY found heavy fire conditions on the first floor of the home, and flames were spreading to the second floor.
Firefighters went inside the house to fight the blaze, and found two children on the second floor. Both were taken out and were in cardiac arrest at the time, Leonard said.
The boys, ages 6 and 11, were rushed to Queens Hospital Center. Both were pronounced dead there around 8:25 p.m., Leonard said.
The 6-year-old boy was identified as Ajay Policard, the 11-year-old boy as Michael Policard, police said.
The boys were believed to be brothers, Leonard said.
Witnesses said the children may not have been able to get out of the building.
“Two kids were trapped downstairs,” said witness Cass Agbi. “The firemen bust through the doors and the windows, and they went downstairs to the first floor to grab the kids out.”
Another resident, a 33-year-old man, was taken to Queens Hospital Center with minor injuries after jumping out of a third-floor window, Leonard said.
The man was seen on a stretcher with his hands bandaged after he was put on a stretcher. It was not known whether he was related to the boys who died.
The boys’ mother arrived on the scene, and was also taken to the hospital by the NYPD, Leonard said.
Three firefighters were reported in serious, but stable, condition, the FDNY said. They were taken to Jamaica Hospital Center and Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, the FDNY said.
Two men who lived in a basement apartment in the building escaped safely, Leonard said.
The blaze was under control by just before 8 p.m.
The cause of the fire was under investigation Friday night, Leonard said.
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