Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mother, Four Children Killed In Fatal Staten Island Fire
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 22, 2010
Modified Jul 22, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 22, 2010
Modified Jul 22, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Early this morning, around 4 a.m., a three-alarm fire broke out in a home in the Port Richmond section of Staten Island. Firefighters were on the scene at 4:13 a.m. and got it under control by 5:48 a.m., but the fire moved too fast and killed a mother and her four children, ages 2, 7, 10 and 14. According to 1010WINS, "Fire officials say it originated on the second floor and quickly spread to the attic and through the roof."
The victims (the mother was identified as Lisa Jones) lived in a second floor apartment; three other families living in the building were able to escape. A police officer who aided in the rescue told the Daily News, "We were able to save three families and about four or five kids. We tried to go back in for the last family but the door was already orange. The ceiling was caving in - we had to get out of there." One of Jones' children was breathing, but died at the hospital; according to the Advance, "Though it initially survived, reports said the child was so burned that firefighters couldn't tell its gender."
The cause of the fire is being investigated; the Post reports, "Neighbors said they heard some commotion coming from the second floor and then a ‘pop’ sound." Fire officials also said they did not see a smoke detector; Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano said, "We don't see evidence of a smoke detector. We keep trying to remind people that a simple $10 or $15 could have made a difference to save five lives here."
Tagged
fatal fire
fire
port richmond
smoke detector
staten island
three alarm fire
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani-backed housing bill will give nonprofits head start on buying NYC apartments
The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act has long been a goal of tenant advocates, but has faced fierce opposition from the real estate industry.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET
Fatal motorcycle crash closes upper lanes to NY on George Washington Bridge
Drivers are urged to avoid the bridge Thursday morning.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Fatal motorcycle crash closes upper lanes to NY on George Washington Bridge
Drivers are urged to avoid the bridge Thursday morning.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ballot questions ask NYC voters whether to cut red tape on outdoor dining, bike lanes
By
Walter Wuthmann
The NYPD arrested a mom and took her kids' Christmas gifts. She never got them back.
By
Samantha Max
Retired NYPD detective charged with murder in George Washington Bridge shooting
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .