2 killed in Harlem fire; FDNY says blaze was accidental
NEW YORK -- Two people died in a fire that tore through a brownstone in Harlem overnight Friday.
The FDNY confirmed Saturday that the fire was accidental, caused by a candle.
Neighbors described a horrifying scene with people screaming, some jumping out of windows to get to safety and firefighters performing CPR.
"We opened up the window, and the place next door was completely aflame and we saw residents jumping out of the windows," neighbor Liam Curtis said.
"About four people jumped out the window," another witness said.
The neighbors called 911 and watched from the sidewalk on West 132nd Street near Lenox Avenue after the fire started just after midnight.
Cellphone video shows flames were pouring out of the second story. It took more than 100 firefighters over an hour to get it under control.
Three residents were rushed to Harlem Hospital, including Khadim Niane, who spent Saturday collecting whatever belongings he could out of his apartment. He had to get stitches near his right eye after falling as he struggled to see while trying to escape the fire.
"I fell down two or three times," he said.
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The Department of Buildings says the brownstone has single-room occupancy units, and investigators say two men living in the building were killed -- one died at the scene, the other at Harlem Hospital.
"I wish this wasn't his expiration date and this wasn't how it was supposed to be," said Makeba Reece, a mentor with Living Redemption Community Development Corporation.
Police have not identified the two victims, but family and close mentors from LRCDC confirmed 28-year-old Tyquan Carthens, lovingly known as T.J., was one of the men who died.
"I'd rather be talking about him getting a new job, winning a basketball game, winning a tournament, the things that he was known for. He was a great dancer. Brilliant. He was the life of the party," said Dorin Hammond, LRCDC deputy project director.
His loved ones now plan on organizing a basketball tournament in his honor.
"With the jerseys and the trophies and the good music and food. We're gonna definitely celebrate him in that way," Hammond said.
The Red Cross says it's provided emergency housing to three households.
