"PORT RICHMOND, NY - Police now suspect the Staten Island house fire that killed a mother and her four children today was a murder-suicide, and fire officials believe the blaze was intentionally set.
"Fire officials say the blaze broke out around 4:15 a.m. on the top floor of a house at 302 Nicholas Avenue in Port Richmond. The fire quickly spread to the roof and took about an hour-and-a-half to bring under control.
"Leisa Jones, 32, died in the blaze, along with her 14-year-old son C.J., 10-year-old daughter Brittney, seven-year-old daughter Melody and two-year-old son Jermaine, according to fire officials.
"Sources say at least two of the younger children were found with their throats slit, and police found a razor under the body of C.J. Jones.
"Now, police are investigating the possibility that the 14-year-old son set the fire as a murder-suicide attempt.
"Police Officers Mashiel Santo and Edward Murphy, who were patrolling the area due to the recent spike in hate crimes, smelled smoke, rushed over to the burning house and were able to help pull three families to safety.
"Residents on the first floor said they had smoke detectors, but they did not go off. They also said they heard popping noises before the fire broke out.
"`It's a tragedy. It's a tragedy. It's sad. It's really sad,` said one person rescued from the flames. `It could have happened to any of us. If they didn't come bang on the door, would we be alive right now?`
"`I got my kids out, thank God,` said another. `I used to come home, the kids would be outside. The little two-year-old was cute.`"
From NY1.com...
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