A Queens man and his 6-year-old son were killed in an overnight house fire in Queens, police and fire officials confirmed on Monday.
The rest of the family, the boy's mother and brother were able to escape the fire as it ripped through the East Flushing home around 1:15 a.m.
Police and fire responded to a 911 call for a fire at the home on 157th Street. The father and the young boy were found unconscious and unresponsive, according to police. Both were pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.
Fire investigators believe the fire started on the first floor of the two-story residence. By Monday afternoon, the FDNY identified the father and son as 65-year-old Stephen Blumling and six-year-old Shawn Blumling.
Shawn's brother, also six, was found inside the home and rushed to Jacobi Medical Center with serious burns. He was stable as of Monday morning. Their 41-year-old mother was not hurt.
"They were very nice people. Last storm we had, Steve shoveled my walk for me. He always tries to help," said Virginia Walsh, a neighbor of the family.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries and were transported to local hospitals, the department said. Responding crews placed the fire under control roughly one hour after arrival.
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The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
