Fire kills one in Prospects Heights

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (WABC) -- At least one person is dead and several were hurt in a five-alarm fire overnight that police determined was caused by electrical wiring.

The wiring of a "neon light in front of (the) store," according to fire marshals caused the blaze at 267 Flatbush Ave., in Prospect Heights. It was ruled accidental.

The fire started in a hardware store just after 3:30 a.m. then spread to three apartments above it. Firefighters, who were on the scene in two minutes, chased the flames to the rear of the building.

A 46-year-old man who lived on the second floor jumped from a window to escape the fire and died.

Eight people were injured, including two women in their 60s and 90s, respectively, who suffered serious burns and were taken to the Cornell burn unit at New York Presbyterian Hospital, and two people who were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Two police officers who rushed to help also were hurt. A 19-year-old was taken to Kings County Hospital in critical condition.

The family business had been at the location for more than 20 years, passed down from a father who came to the United States from Jamaica then passed the business on to his son.

About 200 firefighters were on the scene.

The fire closed Flatbush Avenue between Seventh Avenue and Dean Street.