Two Children Die In Staten Island Blaze

NY 1

A Staten Island community is mourning the death of two children killed in an early-morning fire Saturday.

Fire Officials say a 6-year-old Stormy Melendez, and 10-year-old Pearl Preston died early Saturday morning as flames engulfed their house on Tarlton Street in Oakwood Beach.

A three year-old boy is in the hospital in critical condition with burns to his face and body. Three others escaped without serious injuries.

Neighbors say the kids were well-liked through the community.

"They really liked to be outside; they were always outside. Bonnie wasn't outside as much," said neighbor Melissa O'Brien. "Preston hung out with those kids over there. They liked to play football, they wrestled, they did everything."

Fire Marshals are investigating whether the flames were started by electrical problems either in the kitchen or under the floor.

"The story from the marshals, it appears is the older sibling was able to jump out a back window and broke her ankle and the other two were hesitant to jump and stayed behind," said Joe Torillo of the Fire Safety Education Fund.

On Tuesday, three children, and an elderly man were killed in a house fire in Elmhurst.

Fire Officials say a child playing with a butane lighter started that fire.
 










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