Family of five killed in Staten Island, NY house fire

July 23, 2010

Five people were killed early Thursday morning in a fire in the New York City borough of. The fire destroyed most of the home in the neighborhood. The five killed are 33-year-old Leisha Jones and her four children.

Neighbors said that the fire began at approximately 4 a.m. (0800 ). Two officers noticed the fire and radioed for assistance at 4:10 a.m. Rescue workers attempted to enter the building although they were deterred by heavy flames and smoke. Once flames were doused with water, Fire Lieutenant Robert Strafer entered the building and found the youngest child, two-year-old Jermaine Sinclair. Upon further inspection, officers found the other four victims.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud popping sound before the building burst into flames. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, although it is not considered suspicious. The apartment which Jones and her children were living in did not have a, as required by city law.

Jones's mother, Martha Anderson, told the , "She was such a nice person and she was a really good mother," adding, "She loved her kids ... and I loved her."