Two dead after massive fire erupts in Brooklyn building
Two people died in a massive fire at a Brooklyn building Thursday morning that appears to be suspicious, sources said.
The blaze started around 7:30 a.m. inside a three story building on 11th Ave. near 67th St. in Dyker Heights and quickly spread throughout.
Firefighters pulled the bodies of a 58-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman out of the raging fire. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two men, 31 and 30, and two children, 4 and 3, suffered smoke inhalation and were rushed to Maimonides Hospital in stable condition, officials said.
Three firefighters were also treated for minor injuries.
“There was screaming and panicking and then six or seven fire engines. People were running out of the building,” said building resident George Rezk, 60.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but has been deemed suspicious as investigators try to determine whether an accelerant was used, sources said.
The FDNY said there were no working smoke alarms inside the apartment where the fire originated.
“There was a family in their car, some in pajamas, some in their underwear, anything to keep them warm enough,” said Heidi Pugni, 53.
“The family that was in the apartment that was burning, they were in front of our house. They were barefoot. They were in their pajamas,” she added.
“Everyone contributed clothing to them; socks, blankets. My heart just dropped. I was so nervous for everyone.”
