Sheepshead Bay Fire: Mom, 3 Kids Die In Blaze Started By Menorah

SHEEPSHEAD BAY, BROOKLYN — A mother and three children died early Monday morning after a fire that was started by an unattended lit menorah ripped through a Sheepshead Bay home, city officials said.

The blaze broke out shortly before 2:30 a.m. on East 14th Street between Avenue S and Avenue T, according to the FDNY. The two-alarm fire was put under control around 4:30 a.m., fire officials said.

Aliza Azan, 40, Moshe Azan, 11, Yitzah Azan, 7 and Henrietta Azan, 3, were found dead inside the home, NYPD officials said. A 45-year-old man, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were also taken to the hospital in critical condition and two people were taken to the hospital in stable condition, fire officials said.

All of the victims of the fire are related and were sleeping inside the home when the fire broke out, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said Monday. The fire started on the first floor in the front of the home and quickly spread to the second floor and attic, Nigro told reporters.

"A mother and three children lost their lives in this terrible fire and several more members of the family are fighting for their lives," Nigro said in a statement. "So often, tragedy strikes at this time of year, and the holidays make it that much more difficult because our communities should be celebrating, not mourning."

The father was able to help two teenagers escape the fire and attempted to re-enter the home while it was still burning, fire officials said Monday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio echoed Commissioner Nigro's warning about holiday fire safety.

"During the holiday season, we all need to be cautious with decorations, electric lights, candles, space heaters and other items," de Blasio said in a statement.

Preliminary investigations indicate that a smoke alarm was working inside the home and may have woken up two people inside the home, fire officials said Monday.

The 61st NYPD Precinct asked people to avoid East 14th Street between Avenue S and Avenue T while police and fire officials investigate the scene.

Five firefighters suffered non life-threatening injuries while operating on the scene of the deadly fire, officials said.

Photo by Mark Lennihan/Associated Press