A woman has died and four children rushed to hospital in critical condition after a fire erupted in a flat which police say may have been started deliberately.
Emergency services rushed to the scene in East New York, Brooklyn, in the early hours of this morning.
Police say the fire is considered suspicious after an accelerant was found in the hallway.
A neighbour reported coming home minutes before the fire broke out. They heard screams and saw flames coming from the second floor window.
Three girls, ages 17, 14, and 10, and one nine-year-old boy were taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
"Very heavy fire at the front door, which extended up the staircase to the third floor and to the second floor apartment, and came out of those front windows," FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Chuck Downey said.
Downey continued: "Any time you see a whole family like this together, and at this time of the night, and the amount of fire, the emotion outside - family members or neighbors, I don't know at this time, but it was very emotional."
The laze broke out in a Fountain Avenue building at around 2.15 am Tuesday.
A man was also taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
Around 60 firefighters were rushed to the scene. One firefighter was also treated for minor injuries.
