From the AP:
Fire investigators believe a fire that killed two toddlers and their father may have been started by burning incense in a bedroom.
Investigators also uncovered evidence that 42-year-old Myrtel Jean tried to put the fire out first instead of calling 911. They say there were no smoke alarms in the Crown Heights, Brooklyn residence.
Jean and his children, 1-year-old Sebastian and 2-year-old Fabrice, died in the blaze. Their mother was not home when the fire broke out around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The firefighter’s union said precious minutes were wasted because a new city dispatch system sent them to the wrong place. FDNY officials disagreed. They said companies responded near an intersection given by 911 callers.
Also on STATter911 …
- UPDATE: FDNY EMTs suspended without pay over break incident. Mayor blasts their actions. Union says the two are dispatchers who haven’t been in the field for years. – December 21, 2009
- Quick Takes – November 20, 2009
- Quick Takes – February 4, 2010
- Lawsuit over New York City 911 system. Victim of fire sues over delayed response. – December 22, 2009
I have read some comments on FDNY RANT and they are saying 10 city blocks was the distance and this may have been the 2nd or third fatal fire due to sending companies to the wrong address.