Two Children Die After Fatal Apartment Fire Breaks Out, Emergency Crews Respond In Zarqa

Zarqa, Jordan— A fatal apartment fire claimed the lives of two children Wednesday night after flames swept through a second-floor unit and trapped the siblings inside while their parents were out.

Petra News Agency reported the fire started at 7:50 p.m. in Al-Zawahra neighborhood. Neighbors called civil defense after smoke poured from windows. The apartment, housing a family of six, filled with thick smoke within minutes.

Firefighters from Zarqa Civil Defense arrived within eight minutes. They forced entry through the front door. The living room was fully ablaze. Two children, a girl aged 6 and her brother aged 4, were found unconscious in a bedroom. They had been locked inside.

Paramedics attempted resuscitation on the stairwell for 20 minutes. Both were pronounced dead at the scene from smoke inhalation. Their bodies were taken to Zarqa Government Hospital for examination.

Two other siblings, aged 9 and 11, were rescued from the balcony by neighbors using a ladder. They suffered mild smoke inhalation and were treated on site. The parents arrived during the fire and were hospitalized for shock.

Major Anas Al-Khalayleh said initial findings point to an unattended electric heater igniting a curtain. He said the apartment had no smoke detector and had old wiring. He said the children were left alone for less than 30 minutes while parents bought bread.

The building, a four-story block housing 16 families, was evacuated. Firefighters contained the blaze to one apartment by 8:30 p.m. but smoke damaged three others. Power to the block was cut overnight.

Neighbors said the family had lived there for five years. One neighbor said she heard the children screaming and tried to break the door. Another said he called civil defense twice. The street was cordoned until midnight.

Prosecutors opened an inquest for negligent causing of death. Forensic teams seized the heater and electrical socket. Social services were assigned to the surviving family.

Civil Defense urged residents to install smoke detectors and never leave children alone near heaters. The building remains closed for safety inspection. The investigation continues.