Father charged after fire in Brownsville leaves 3 children critically injured
NEW YORK -- Three children remain hospitalized Monday afternoon after police said they were home alone when a fire swept through their apartment in Brooklyn.
It happened on Livonia Avenue in Brownsville, where investigators said the kids were left home alone.
Wooden planks cover the windows of the 11th floor apartment where police said three young children were left alone when fire broke out around 11 a.m. Sunday.
"The neighbor heard one of the kids screaming. It was nasty. A lot of smoke, black smoke," said neighbor Carmine Sanchez.
"The firemen started bringing out one child after another child after another child, and everybody just lost it," neighbor Audrey Ray said.
Neighbors said Anthony Halliburton, 37, was supposed to be watching the children, who are ages 4, 5 and 8. Halliburton is the father of two of them, and stepdad to the third.
"Nobody knew the kids were alone. The mother was working, and when the father came around, everything was done," a neighbor named Glenny said. "He said he was in a store getting food."
Glenny fought back tears, saying "it didn't have to be this way."
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She said she would've watched the kids if Halliburton had asked.
Police said the three children are still in critical but stable condition at Brookdale Hospital, where they're being treated for severe smoke inhalation.
Halliburton was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child Monday.
"I'm praying for those kids. I hope nothing happens to them, because they're little angels still. They have a future ahead of them. They should have a chance to live it, too," one person said.
The FDNY said there were no smoke detectors inside the apartment.
Fire marshals are still trying to determine what caused the fire.
