Overview
- Firefighters responded to a third-floor blaze around 11 p.m. Monday at 446 Kingston Avenue, where two residents were pulled out and later died at Kings County Hospital.
- Police identified the victims as Angela Griffith, 80, and her son Wayne Griffith, 59, who neighbors said had long lived in the building.
- FDNY said a power strip sparked the fire, and heavy clutter in the apartment made escape difficult and searches slow in blackout conditions as fire marshals continue their review.
- An all-hands operation fought flames and thick smoke through the building, displacing several families and leaving one firefighter hospitalized in stable condition for smoke inhalation.
- FDNY reports 29 fire deaths citywide so far this year, up from 24 at this time last year, a trend officials link to common home hazards such as overloaded power strips and cluttered exits.