2 children, ages 5 and 6, killed in Staten Island house fire
NEW YORK -- Two people are dead and two others are critically hurt after a fire broke out on Staten Island.
The FDNY responded shortly after 10:15 a.m. Friday to a three-story home on Van Duzen Street.
Officials said two children were killed, two other people were hospitalized in critical condition and two were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The fire marshal's office will investigate the cause.
Stick with CBS2 for more on this developing story.
Oldest sibling speaks about his unthinkable loss
There was a shocking tragedy in the Stapleton section of Staten Island on Friday morning. Two children died and others were hospitalized after their house caught fire.
CBS2 spoke to the victims' oldest brother.
He was not at the house when the blaze started, but a relative called him to say the family home caught fire and some of the youngest members of his family did not make it out alive.
The fire started on the second floor of the home on Van Duzer Street at around 10 a.m., fire officials said.
Two small children were killed and multiple siblings were hospitalized. Some are in the fight of their lives. A 14-year-old brother, who was also injured, may have been the oldest person in the home at the time, officials said.
"This is a tragedy," Xavier Vanable said. "These are my brothers and sisters."
Venable is 26 years old and the oldest sibling. He talked to CBS2 about the unthinkable loss.
"They was joyful at the heart and they always played around, like I really ... they loved school. I really wanted them to be the best they could be. I didn't think nothing like this is ever expected to happen," he said. "It's a lot to process right now especially before Christmas. We have presents in the basement. You know what I'm saying? I don't know if they're still there."
"All of the kids who are either in critical or deceased are under 10 years old, are young," FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said.
"The entire second floor was engulfed in flames, so much that the fire head was coming down the stairs, which is rare," Chief of Department John Hodgens said, adding, "And we found the victims inside, all unconscious."
Neighbors described what they saw and heard.
"Kids were trapped in there. We heard the stomping, the kids trying to get out. I couldn't get in there, but somebody else got in there. They got in there late, at a late moment, and the fire was so hot. The person got out, but the kids didn't get out safe. It's so sad," Jessica Simon said.
"I saw two of them taken out at the beginning and they stayed in the ambulance for a while and then they gave them a police escort to hospital, but they were little," Teresa Foster added. "Every Christmas will be destroyed from now on."
The children's mother came home and from the shock of it all collapsed. She is hospitalized along with the surviving children.
Watch: FDNY update on deadly fire
Children among the victims
Police tell CBS2 the victims that were killed were two children, a boy and girl ages 5 and 6.
It's unclear if or how they are related.
Staten Island DA: "Incredibly difficult time"
My prayers are with the residents affected including one Staten Islander who lost their life, and their loved ones as they go through this incredibly difficult time. Sincerest gratitude to the first responders who rushed into harm’s way to save lives this morning. https://t.co/noLrRd7HpQ
— Michael E. McMahon (@StatenIslandDA) December 23, 2022
Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon tweeted about the deadly fire, offering his prayers to the victims and his gratitude to the first responders.
"My prayers are with the residents affected including one Staten Islander who lost their life, and their loved ones as they go through this incredibly difficult time. Sincerest gratitude to the first responders who rushed into harm's way to save lives this morning," he wrote.