9-year-old girl killed in Brownsville house fire
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NEW YORK -- Officials are investigating a deadly fire that broke out early Friday morning in Brooklyn.
Firefighters responded shortly before 5:30 a.m. to a three-story home on Howard Avenue in Brownsville.
Police say a 9-year-old girl was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but was later pronounced dead.
A firefighter was also treated for minor injuries.
See live updates below for the latest.
Brooklyn family mourns 9-year-old Payton Thompson
A Brooklyn family is mourning the death of a young girl who died in a house fire early Friday morning.
"Smart, funny, brilliant, life-filled young lady that she was," said Joseph Thompson, the girl's uncle.
Described as energetic, a bright light and a fashionista who loved high heels, jewelry and adored her baby sister, 9-year-old Payton Thompson's family is heartbroken.
"She was an amazing young girl. She loved people, she loved to have fun, she loved to eat ... She loved her family," Joseph Thompson said.
Before sunrise, firefighters arrived at Howard Avenue in Brownsville to find the three-story home engulfed in flames. Fire officials say big flames and clutter inside the home made it difficult to reach the young girl.
"Got delayed getting to the top floor, where one victim was found," FDNY Deputy Chief James Carney said.
It took two hours to get the blaze under control. The 9-year-old was found on the top floor in one of the back rooms. She was rushed to Brookdale Hospital.
"They worked on her for a while, but unfortunately, she didn't make it. It was due to the smoke," Joseph Thompson said.
Everyone else made it out safely.
A GoFundMe page has been created to help with burial expenses. The family is asking the community to keep Payton in their thoughts and prayers.
"Families, love on your babies, love on your brothers, love on your sisters. You never know when the last time is the last time," Joseph Thompson said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Payton's uncle tells us this deadly fire destroyed the family home on the same day Payton's sister turned 1. At a time when family should have been celebrating, tragedy took over.
"She was everything": Victim's grieving uncle speaks out
Tragedy in Brooklyn, where a fire took the life of a young girl.
CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis spoke with loved ones at the scene in Brownsville.
Fire officials say the little girl was found on the rear of the top floor. She was rushed to Brookdale Hospital, but couldn't be saved. She left behind a heartbroken family.
"She was an amazing young girl. She loved people. She loved to have fun. She loved to eat," said uncle Joseph Thompson. "She loved her family."
And 9-year-old Payton Thompson's family loved her.
Her uncle is holding on to their last moments together, Thursday night.
"Said to her 'You didn't call me and say thank you for your ribs and your cornbread.' She said 'I'm so sorry uncle, my iPad died,'" Joseph Thompson said. "She gave me a big hug and big kiss, not knowing that would be the last time I would embrace her."
The FDNY was called to the Howard Avenue home near Blake Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Friday morning. Firefighters arrived to a heavy fire and what was described as a "clutter condition." It took about two hours to get the fire under control.
"Guys worked through punishing conditions, heavy fire on second floor, got delayed going to the top floor where one victim was found," said FDNY Deputy Chief James Carney.
"As I pulled up, the ambulance was taking off to go to the hospital. They worked on her for a while, but unfortunately she didn't make it. It wasn't because of being burned alive, it was due to the smoke," Joseph Thompson said.
He says the rest of the family made it out and shared it's Payton's sister's first birthday.
Community advocate and neighbor Dr. Burchell M. Marcus came by to comfort the family.
"This is something that it hits home," Marcus said. "I'm going to do whatever I can to get the help they need to rebuild."
"How do you want Payton to be remembered?" DeAngelis asked.
"As a smart, funny, brilliant life-filled young lady that she was. She was just everything. She was everything," Joseph Thompson said. "Families, love on your babies. Love on your brothers, love on your sisters. You never know when the last time is the last time."
Thompson says his mother is a pastor and he's her assistant pastor in Brooklyn. The family is leaning on their faith.
The FDNY is still investigating the cause of the fire.
A firefighter was treated for minor injuries.
Victim's uncle tells CBS2 "she was everything"
It was a tragic morning for the family who lost a 9-year-old girl. Officials say she was found on the top floor of the home, but didn't make it.
CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis spoke with the girl's uncle, who identified her as Payton Thompson. DeAngelis asked how he wants her to be remembered.
"As the smart, funny, brilliant, life-filled young lady that she was. She was everything, she was everything," he said.
Cellphone video captured flames shooting from the house on Howard Avenue around 5:30 a.m. Friday. The FDNY rushed to the scene to find a heavy fire and the home in cluttered condition.
"Guys worked through punishing conditions, heavy fire on second floor. Got delayed getting to the top floor, where one victim was found," FDNY Deputy Chief James Carney said.
The 9-year-old girl was found unconscious and unresponsive. Police said she was pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital. Her heartbroken family consoled one another outside the home hours later.
"It's heartbreaking for me, because I know this family, I've known the family for years," said neighbor and community advocate Dr. Burchell M. Marcus.
He said she was a beautiful little girl and her death hits home.
"I just want to give my condolence to the family, and I'm going to do whatever I can to get the help that they need to rebuild and to move on," he said.
Approximately 140 firefighters and EMS responded to the fire, which took about two hours to get under control.
The deputy chief said he believes a second person escaped the house from the second floor. A firefighter was also treated for minor injuries.
Investigators are now working to figure out the cause.
FDNY update from the scene
Firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire just before 5:30 a.m. on the second and third floors of the home on Howard Avenue.
The young girl was found inside unconscious and unresponsive.
"Right now, the cause of the fire is under investigation," FDNY Deputy Chief James Carney said. "There was one victim found on the top floor in the rear, and the second victim I believe who escaped and walked away from it was found on the second floor."
"This is heartbreaking for me, because I know this family, and this is a sad situation," said neighbor and community advocate Dr. Burchell M. Marcus. "This family, as a matter of fact, this whole block is a very tight knit family. We all get along with each other, we look out for each other."
Firefighters say the home was heavily cluttered.
The victim was rushed to Brookdale Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
Victim identified as 9-year-old girl
Police say a 9-year-old girl was found unconscious and unresponsive inside the home.
She was rushed to Brookdale Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Investigators continue to look into the cause of the fire.