New York City...
Three people, including two small children, were killed and ten other people were injured when fire swept through an apartment building in The Bronx on Thursday morning. The fire started at about 0825 EDT on the second floor of the three-story brick building. It took firefighters about 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Authorities are suspecting arson was the cause of the fire.
Assistant Chief James Murtagh said, "We suspect that the three who died were on the third floor and fell from the third floor to the second floor. It's my opinion that all three were dead long before the fire building collapsed." Murtagh also explained why he suspected arson was the cause, "The burn pattern is extensive. It's probably one of the worst fires we've had of this magnitude in this short period of time."
Among the injured were five members of the FDNY. All of the injured firefighters reportedly received minor injuries. The other five injured victims were civilians. Three of those victims, including a 3-year-old child, are said to be in critical condition after receiving very serious burns.
Some of the victims did reportedly jump from the windows of the burning building. David Billig, a spokesman for the FDNY EMS said, "Five people have been taken to hospitals with injuries including burns and trauma. The reports from the scene said there were people jumping out of the building."
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