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An early-morning fire in a Queens home Tuesday claimed the life of three family members, including a 2-year-old girl.
The toddler, Alicia Shepherd, died at the hospital shortly after the fire, which broke out before 6 a.m. in her house at 102nd Avenue and 216th Street. Shepard's 23-year-old mother Melvina Shepherd and her grandmother, 46-year-old Mary Ann Shepherd, also perished in the blaze.
"When we got here, the building was fully involved," said Deputy FDNY Chief Jim DiDomenico. "Heavy fire on the first and second floor; reports of people trapped. You can see the exposure to the building on the left, [which] has damage. They made an aggressive attack, knocked the fire down quickly, saving a lot of exposure."
Melvin Shepherd was able to escape the fire that killed his daughter, wife and mother. Four other family members were also able to get out. One of them was taken to North Shore Hospital for treatment.
Neighbors say about a dozen family members lived in the house. One had already left for work before the fire started, and two were in Florida.
Investigators say the fire does not appear to be suspicious.
"Right now the fire has been deemed accidental and we're focusing on either the electrical or the air conditioner itself, but we haven't made a final determination as of yet," said Fire Marshal Frank Quiles.
People who watched as the fire quickly enveloped the house were still in disbelief hours after it was extinguished.
"When I came outside there was a boom," said a neighbor and witness. "The house really was up [in flames]. We saw the family up the street. Everyone wanted to console them."
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