8 Injured Including Child After Woman Sets Own Flat On Fire After Row With Mum
Eight people including a child have been injured after a woman allegedly set her own apartment on fire following an argument with her mother.
The incident took place at the flat in Coney Island, New York, at around 9pm on Tuesday, 8th March.
Anna Lambert, 34, is alleged to have started the fire, and her mother is among the injured, having suffered serious burns from the flames.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) took to Instagram on Wednesday, 9th March, to post fireman Steven McGuire’s recollection of events.
He was quoted as saying: “I made my way to the rear of the building. There was heavy smoke and fire coming from the apartment windows. An individual from that apartment was at the window frantically screaming for help.
“Firefighter Joseph Roggenkamp from #Ladder169, Firefighter Thomas Dolan from #Ladder161 and myself were able to place a portable 35-foot ladder to where the individual was in the window. I was able to climb up the ladder and reassure this individual not to jump, we needed to do this as quickly but safely as possible.
“Once we removed the individual from the window the fire took hold of the entire apartment. It was a team effort and without everyone doing their part the outcome could have been much worse.”
The FDNY also took to Twitter to warn residents to be careful where they park their cars, writing: “A vehicle blocked the fire hydrant at last night’s 2-alarm fire in Brooklyn. A total of 6 civilians and 2 Firefighters were injured. FDNY urges New Yorkers to NEVER park on a fire hydrant.”
Local media reported that over 100 firefighters were involved in battling the fire, which was finally extinguished at around 10.30pm.
Of the remaining seven injured, five are residents, one of whom is a child, and two are firefighters.
Cops from the New York Police Department have arrested Lambert and charged her with arson.