A one-year-old child died in a housefire in Long Island this morning whilst the other eight family members survived, Greg Cergol reports
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.
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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.
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.
