A brother and sister, both 4 years old, died Sunday after a fire erupted in a Far Rockaway home, officials said.
The blaze began in the basement of the home on Bay 30th Street just before midnight. Investigators said they believe one of the children may have been playing with a lighter when the fire started.
After firefighters put out the blaze the siblings were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival, police said.
Officials said the two died of smoke inhalation. Authorities have identified the boy as Jai'Launi Tinglin and the girl as Ayini Tinglin. The two were half-siblings.
Another 4-year-old girl, Jai'Launi's twin, along with a 55-year-old aunt and their 63-year-old grandfather, were also inside the home at the time. They were taken to area hospitals, where officials said they were listed in stable condition.
One of the aunt's coworkers said the family is devastated.
"It's a very close-knit family, they are really upset, just trying to put the pieces together and figure out what the next step is going to be," said Joseph Ferramosca.
Authorities said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.