SOUTH JAMAICA, Queens (WABC) — Two people, believed to be a mother and son, were killed after a two-alarm fire broke out inside a home in Queens Monday night.
Firefighters responded to the scene on 164th Place in South Jamaica just after 6 p.m.
Crews encountered heavy fire in the basement and the first and second floor of the home.
They found two people, one male and one female, on the second floor of the home and quickly removed them.
Police say the victims were an 86-year-old woman and 61-year-old man.
Both were pronounced dead on the scene.
“We very quickly located two occupants on the second floor, they were quickly removed,” said FDNY Dept. Chief George Healy. “Unfortunately, both those individuals expired on the scene.”
According to neighbors, the victims were a mother and son, and it is believed the man ran back inside the burning home to save the woman.
“That man was brave to go back inside and help his mom,” said Gersham McGowan. “But he never made it. That’s sad.”
Rescue teams found medical equipment where the 86-year-old woman lived, and it appears she could not escape on her own.
The 61-year-old man is believed to have been living in the basement.
A next-door neighbor told Eyewitness News they heard the fire alarms from the burning home.
“I heard three times, the alarm,” said neighbor Chantal Gbado. “We started running for the phone.”
Officials say help arrived two and a half minutes.
“The recommendation is always once you get safely out of the house, never return,” said Dept. Chief Healy.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
The fire was placed under control around 7:40 p.m.
There’s no word yet on the cause. FDNY Fire Marshals are investigating.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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