Mom left Manhattan home for cigarettes when fire critically injured toddlers: sources

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) – A mother is accused of leaving her children unattended in a Manhattan home to grab cigarettes when a fire broke out, critically injuring two of them, according to sources.

The mother was charged with endangering the welfare of a child on Thursday. A fire broke out at 206 Audubon Ave. in Washington Heights around 10:54 p.m. on Wednesday, according to authorities.

The mother’s 1-year-old son suffered from smoke inhalation and burns, while her 2-year-old son suffered from smoke inhalation. They’re both in critical condition, police said.

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The 8-year-old sister of the two boys told officers that she was left home alone with her brothers, according to sources. The mother allegedly went out to get cigarettes, sources said.

The father of the children was questioned and cleared, according to sources.

Another 8-year-old child and a 28-year-old woman living in a different apartment on the same floor suffered from smoke inhalation, police said.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.

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