Blaze Kills Queens Boy, 2

NY Post

by BRIGITTE WILLIAMS-JAMES and PERRY CHIARAMONTE

A 2-year-old boy was killed when a fire swept through his Queens apartment building last night, authorities said.

A baby-sitting grandmother rescued three other children in the third-floor apartment on 49th Street in Sunnyside, but was unable to reach Carlos Ospina, known by family and friends as "C.J.," neighbors said.

The blaze broke out shortly after 7 p.m., forcing residents to flee the five-story building.

"We started to see smoke coming through the door," said Fabiana Abru, 17, who lives on the top floor. "We just ran out to the street. When we got outside, we saw the grandmother screaming, 'My baby! My baby!' "

Family friend Jessica Solorzano, 31, said the mother of the children had gone out after her husband because he had forgotten to bring something to work.

"The grandmother took three [children] out of the apartment, but left C.J. because he was in the top bunk," Solorzano said.

Two of the children were brought to Elmhurst Hospital with minor injuries.

Neighbors were stunned by the toddler's death.

"I saw him earlier today," said Ashley Paulino, "He was running around and he was very playful. He was just a happy kid."

The FDNY said the blaze was under investigation.










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