Grandfather tried to save 2-year-old in fatal fire
Grandfather remains in grave condition at White Plains Hospital
WHITE PLAINS - The grandfather of a 2-year-old girl who died in a fire Saturday at her family's home apparently was trying to save her when he succumbed to the heavy smoke that quickly filled her bedroom and the rest of the house, investigators said Monday.
Charles Young, 79, was clinging to life in "very grave condition" at White Plains Hospital on Monday, authorities said. On Saturday morning, firefighters carried Young and his granddaughter, Lalayjah Pearson, from a second-floor bedroom during the blaze at 29 Nutgrove St. The little girl was pronounced dead at the hospital.
"The grandfather and child were found in the same bedroom," Police Lt. Eric Fischer said, adding that the fire started in another second-floor bedroom and investigators believe Young was trying to rescue his granddaughter before he collapsed.
The toddler's grandmother, Doris Young, 77, remained in stable condition at the hospital, where she's being treated for smoke inhalation. She was found on the ground floor of the two-and-a-half-story house by Police Sgt. Daniel McMahon, who carried her outside.
Public Safety Commissioner David Chong said McMahon and members of the police emergency service unit were not far from the neighborhood when the 11 a.m. fire was reported. After carrying Doris Young from the house, they tried two or three times to get to the second floor, but were unable to because of the intense heat and smoke.
Firefighters arrived within minutes, passed Charles Young and his granddaughter down the stairs and quickly brought the blaze under control.
"They were heroic in their actions, but unfortunately they were unable to save the baby," Chong said.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family," said Joe Carrier, president of the city fire union. "It's tough. Our guys did a spectacular job in quickly bringing the fire under control and getting everyone out, but a little girl died. That's a hard thing to deal with."
Fischer said investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause of the blaze, which left two bedrooms heavily damaged and the house uninhabitable.
"We know that the cause was electrical, but we're still investigating whether it was a problem with an outlet, the circuit breaker or some other malfunction," he said.
The fire is being investigated by the city's Cause and Origin Team, comprised of arson investigators from the fire department and police detectives.
A total of 10 people who lived in the two-family house are receiving shelter, food and other help from the local Red Cross chapter.
Funeral arrangements for Latayjah Pearson have not been announced.