Pictured Above: Avner Siani, a friend of the family, passing by the home in Brooklyn where a woman and three of her children died in a fire early Monday. Credit: Stephanie Keith for The New York Times.

A terrible tragedy struck our community in the early hours of Dec. 18 when a raging fire took the lives of a mother, Mrs. Aliza Azan, and her three young children, Moshe (11), Yitzchak (7), and Henrietta (3). The horrible incident took place at 1946 East 14th Street in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn.

The children’s father, Yossi Azan, and other family members were badly injured and deemed to be in critical condition. Please say Tehillim for Shilat Bat Louza Aliza, Daniel Ben Louza Aliza, Avraham Ben Louza Aliza, and Yosef Ben Ahuva Masuda.

According to authorities, After the flames were finally put out by the FDNY, the deceased were found on the second floor of the house. The mother, 40, was found near her 3-year-old daughter, 7-year-old son and 11-year-old son. Thankfully, five others who were also in the home came out of the ordeal unharmed. According to authorities, the father, 45, and two of his children, Shilat (16) and Daniel (15), are currently in critical condition.

Daniel A. Nigro, the New York City fire commissioner, stated that the flames broke out in front of the first floor at around 2 a.m. They then went up the stairs to the second floor and ultimately reached the second set of stairs to the attack where there were two more bedrooms.

The firefighters arrived at the scene within two and half minutes of receiving a call from a neighbor of the Azan family. By the time the FDNY had arrived, the fire was already consuming the entire three story home.

Mr. Nigro stated that most of the survivors escaped out of the side entrance of the home. One teenager fled by jumping out of a window and broke his pelvis. Unfortunately, the mother and three children could not escape.

“This is a terrible tragedy, not just for this community, but for our city,” Mr. Nigro said. “This time of year, when these things strike, it just tears your heart out for the family,” Mr. Nigro continued, “Our city grieves with this family today.”

The FDNY stated in a press conference at noon on Monday that the father, Mr. Yossi Azan, “acted very courageously.”

According to the FDNY, Yossi saved two of his children. The father attempted to reenter the home a second time to save the rest of his family, but could not due to the rapid rate that the fire was growing.

“The father and the two teenagers remain in critical condition fighting for their lives at Staten Island University hospital,” stated the FDNY at the press conference.

Additionally, it was stated that a smoke alarm was activated in the home at the time of the incident and may have alerted two of the boys who survived the fire. It is now being closely investigated if a Menorah was the cause for this horrible tragedy.

The Levayot for the victims of this terrible tragedy - Mrs. Aliza Azan A”H, Moshe Azan A”H, Yitzchak Azan A”H, and Henrietta Azan A”H - will be held at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 18, at Beit Knesset Shevet Achim located at Avenue T and East 7th Street in Flatbush.

The Niftarim will then be flown on a midnight flight to Israel for Kevura.

The Azan family who's home along with four family members perished in a raging fire on Dec. 18 in Brooklyn, NY.

Shelly Greenstein - Forman

editor@sephardic.org

Shelly Forman is currently serving as editor-in-chief of Sephardic.Org. Shelly curates the content that comes through to Sephardic and makes sure that each and every article, video, and image on the site goes along with our amazing mission statement.