Two boys found in cardiac arrest inside a burning Queens home later died at the hospital, authorities say.
The Tioga Drive home in St. Albans was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at around 7 p.m., officials said. The fire appeared to have started on the first floor, then extended to the second floor.
The boys, identified as 6-year-old Andrew Kavangh and 11-year-old John Kavanagh, were found in cardiac arrest on the second floor, police said. Paramedics performed CPR and transported them to Queens General Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
A neighbor said he saw emergency responders taking a little boy out of the home and his face appeared to be badly burned.
"It seemed like he wasn't even breathing at all," he said, identifying himself only as Junior. "They pumped his chest and they kept on going."
Orlonza Saunders, who was also inside the house at the time, suffered minor injuries when he jumped from a third-floor window to escape the smoke.
Saunders said he immediately told neighbors the boys were inside. He said he was later told by police that John was found holding his younger brother Andrew. The boy's mother had "always told him to protect his little brother," Saunders said.
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The fire was brought under control within about 45 minutes. A cause wasn't immediately clear.
Fire officials on the scene said three firefighters were hurt battling the blaze, but their injuries were considered minor.
But the death of children "always adds another dimension that makes it a little more emotional for our firefighters to deal with," said FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief James Leonard.
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Tracie Strahan contributed reporting.
