PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A 7-year-old girl died at the hospital after she and her 2-year-old critically injured sister were rescued from a burning home in Providence, authorities said.
The children were brought to Hasbro Children’s Hospital after being pulled unresponsive from the second floor of the multi-family home at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Deputy Police Chief Thomas Verdi said.
The victim was identified Wednesday as Ashley Sandoval.
Assistant Fire Chief Michael Bates called it a “tragic day.”
“These are very emotional events. Most of our firefighters have youngsters as well, and combined with the holidays, it’s just a challenge,” Bates said. “When they show up, they want to do the best possible job they can and we always want a really good outcome, so it takes its toll.”
Public Safety Commissioner Steven Paré said investigators think the girls’ mother had left to walk to a nearby market. But police said adult relatives and a juvenile relative were in the home and escaped unharmed.
Mayor Jorge Elorza said 14 people were displaced by the fire, which spread to two nearby homes. They are being assisted by the Red Cross.
The cause remains under investigation, but arson is not suspected.
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