I was awaken this morning by the sound of helicopters hovering overhead some time just after 5am...I went outside to see what was happening and saw no less than 7 news helicopters above my house and scattered across the skies above the surrounding few blocks...Contrary to NY1's story below this fire occurred in Ozone Park directly across the street from the addition to Elizabeth Blackwell MS 210...The house is only about 40 years old...When I left fire marshalls were already investigating the home to determine the cause of the fire...I overheard some media people who spoke of hearing an FDNY chief referring to the fire as a "fatal house fire", but they could not obtain any official statement from the FDNY personnel still on site....
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Flames broke out around 5 a.m. at a three-story house near the intersection of 93rd Street and 97th Avenue.
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A mother, two children, and a grandmother sustained serious injuries in the fire. Emergency workers say the victims were overcome by heavy smoke.
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Neighbors say they are lucky the flames did not spread beyond the single home.
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"Very friendly people, very wonderful people, you know, when I found out it was them, it's sad," said one neighbor. "Although it's unfortunate, the fortunate situation is that none of the other houses went on fire."
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Officials say the fire started on the second floor.
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The cause is under investigation.
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Photos by: David M. Quintana
