Metro

Investigations launched into FDNY delay in fatal house fire

The city’s Department of Investigations and the Queens District Attorney have launched investigations into the FDNY’s botched response to a Far Rockaway fire that killed two young children, authorities said.

“We are investigating response times and other related procedures associated with the fire,” said a DOI spokesperson.

Queens DA Richard Brown said that his office would also be looking into the matter to see if a criminal investigation is warranted.

A memorial outside the home where two 4-year-olds were killed in the tragic fire.G.N. Miller

“We are reviewing all aspects of that which occurred in Far Rockaway this past weekend.”

Ayina Tinglin’s mother, Khalilah Waymer (center), with her brother Terrell Philip Brown and Sandra Tinglin in Queens April 21.G.N. Miller

Half-siblings Jai’Launi and Aniya, both 4, were killed when a fire raged through their grandparent’s Bay 30th Street home Saturday night after one of the kids accidentally set a bed on fire while playing with a lighter.

The Far Rockaway home where a deadly fire broke out early Sunday.Demetrius E. Loadholt

But ambulances were dispatched nine minutes later than they should have been, letting precious time slip away as the two tots clung to life.

“I want to make sure we have exactly what happened,” the mayor said after attending an event at Union Square. “But I’m very, very concerned. Certainly the preliminary reports are troubling.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio said he has had concerns in the past about the city’s 911 system, following several instances last year in which ambulances didn’t show up to emergencies in a reasonable amount of time.

“I do know – we all know – that something went wrong,” de Blasio added. “We’ve got to know why it went wrong. We’ve got to know how to fix it going forward. It’s not acceptable.”

“I don’t know if it was a system problem. It may well have not have been,” he continued. “We need to know; was it something about the system, was it something about the individuals involved?”

A veteran fire source with knowledge of the bungled response said the error happened sometime during the dispatch process.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 11:56 p.m., and almost immediately called for ambulances through what’s known as a “10-75” call.

But instead of ambulances being dispatched right away, it took approximately nine minutes for paramedics to get the green light.

They finally arrived on scene at 12:12 a.m. Sunday; 21 minutes after the original 911 call.

“What happened in this case, our dispatcher was not given a message to have a unit respond until 12:05 a.m. [Saturday],” the source said.

“That’s when the EMS dispatcher was notified to send an ambulance,” he added. “Then they sent an ambulance at 12:06 a.m.”

Meanwhile, the family of little Jai’Launi and Aniya announced they will bury the children during two separate services Monday, adding that a fund has been set up to help with funeral expenses.

“I just want to thank everyone for their support and love,” said Mark Tinglin, father of both kids.

The distraught dad clung to his daughter Lailuni, 4, who survived the weekend blaze.

“My kids will be very missed but never for gotten.”

Jessyka Slay, mother of Jai’Launi, nearly collapsed while speaking with reporters at the scene of the fire.

“I just want to say thank you…,” she said before falling into her brother’s arms.

“On behalf of my sister and my family, I just want to say thank you for all your love and support,” Anthony Slay said, finishing his sister’s sentiment.

State Senator James Sanders Jr, who represents the district where the fire occurred, said he would make sure the truth comes out regarding what went wrong with the FDNY’s response.

“We are trying not to rush to judgement,” he said, “but this sounds like an outrageous, grievous affront, and on behalf of these children we are not going to sleep until we get a little justice here.”