A father lost three of his children and a baby granddaughter to a massive house fire Sunday in New York City, according to multiple reports.
The father tried to break through a door and then attempted to gain access through a window to save his children, according to NBC New York. The victims include Kalheed Waleed Ban Saleh, 10; Mohamed Waleed Ahmed, 12; 10-month-old Barah Saleh and her father, 22-year-old Ahmed Saleh, according to ABC7.
Officials on Monday identified the victims in the multi-level blaze on Quimby Avenue as 10-year-old Kalheed Waleed Ban Saleh, 12-year-old Mohamed Waleed Ahmed, 10-month-old Barah Saleh and 22-year-old Ahmed Saleh.https://t.co/GYTiMokvY0
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) October 31, 2022
Kalheed, Mohamed and Ahmed were all brothers, according to ABC 7.
Over 100 firefighters and first responders arrived at the house four minutes after getting the call, NBC New York reported. The first and second floors of the house were already engulfed in flames by the time they arrived, according to the outlet.
Carla Cornielle lives nearby and gave the father a hammer to try and save his children, according to the outlet. “I see this man just panicking, just screaming for his family. He said, ‘My kids, my kids are all up there. Help!'” Cornielle said, according to NBC New York.
Two of the father’s children were pronounced dead after the fire was extinguished, reported NBC New York. The other two were taken to the hospital, where they later died, according to the outlet. (RELATED: 5 Siblings Home Alone Die In House Fire Hours Before Mom’s Birthday Party)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams told the father he would assist with the burials of his children, NBC New York reported.
“He lost his children and it’s extremely painful,” Adams said. “The block and the community is going to rally around this family.”
Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
