KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Firefighters rushed two children to the hospital Friday morning after rescuing them from their burning home. It happened in the Northland, near NE 42nd Terrace and North Jackson.
When firefighters arrived at the home, which was built around six years ago by Habitat for Humanity, before 10 a.m., they say the house was fully engulfed in smoke.
A 16-year-old girl was inside the house with her two 5-year-old twin brothers, Zahed and Abed Abdelrahman. The girl says she was sleeping and woke up to find fire in the back of the home, near the boys’ bedroom. She escaped out of a window and told firefighters where they could find the two boys inside.
Both boys were pulled out of the home unconscious, although firefighters say one was responsive as paramedics rushed him to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
“One was conscious and then the other one wasn’t so, they carried one out and he looked dead,” said Areej Ahmed, 16, the sister who escaped the fire through a window. “I don’t know. I hope he’s ok though.”
Neighbors say about eight people live in the home who are all part of one family. Neighbors tell FOX 4 News the mother was at Children’s Mercy Hospital caring for a sick child at the time of the fire.
“They got them out very quickly,” said Battalion Chief James Garrett of the KCFD. “We got them to the ambulance very quickly, and got care to them very quickly, so we’re hopeful for a great outcome.”
Areej told firefighters she did hear a smoke alarm, but doesn’t how the fire started. Firefighters are investigating to determine the cause of the blaze. As of Friday night, the two boys remained in critical condition.
Previous coverage:
