What to Know
- A toddler was killed and three people were injured in a tragic early morning house fire in Suffolk County where her family was fast asleep.
- Twenty-three-month-old Majesty Gerald was pronounced dead at the scene once the fire was extinguished. Three others inside the house, including a 4-year-old girl, suffered minor injuries.
- It is that same girl that many are describing as a heroine. Her grandmother told News 4 New York that the 4-year-old awoke the family and warned them of the fire -- a fire so intense that 10 fire companies responded to the scene.
A toddler was killed and three people were injured in a tragic early morning house fire in Suffolk County which broke out while the family was fast asleep.
The inferno broke out at around 3 a.m. Wednesday in a house located in Gordon Heights on Long Island, where nine relatives, including extended family members, were staying.
Twenty-three-month-old Majesty Gerald was pronounced dead at the scene once the fire was extinguished. Three others inside the house, including Majesty's 4-year-old sister Jazae Gerald, suffered minor injuries.
Jazae is being hailed a heroine, as her grandmother told News 4 New York that the 4-year-old awoke the family and warned them of the blaze — which was so intense that 10 fire companies responded to the scene.
"God took one angel and left another angel," Helen Mortley, the victim's grandmother, said.
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Rev. Thomas Flud of the Baptist Church of Gordon Heights said the young girl alerted the family "and they literally ran out of the house with the clothes on their back." A neighbor who captured footage of the fire on cellphone video said that immediately after escaping, the family quickly realized Majesty was still inside the smoke-filled home.
News
The Gordon Heights fire chief said the toddler was found in a basement apartment, and added that he didn't hear smoke alarms going off inside.
"It's just a devastating situation for the family. We are just trying to offer up some assistance and comfort at this point," Flud went on to say. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
A firefighter also suffered minor injuries during the blaze.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Authorities say it does not appear to be suspicious or criminal in nature.