The 11-year-old boy, identified as Tavon Turpin, was pulled from the fire unconscious and unresponsive. He was rushed to Coney Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Authorities said the boy was apparently left home alone while his grandmother ran out for an errand. Neighbors say he was autistic, but not physically disabled.
The Fire Department confirmed the fire started because the boy was playing with matches.
"She loved that baby," a neighbor said. "She would never do anything to hurt that boy. Never."
