Fire officials in Central New York say three children were using candles to stay warm, causing a fire that left a 13 year old girl dead and a 2 year old girl injured.

Syracuse Fire Chief Paul Linnertz says Zakiya Bell was with her cousin and the toddler, alone in the second floor apartment without heat or electricity.

Firefighters responded at around midnight January 19 when the cousin managed to escape and alert neighbors.

Bell died at a nearby hospital and the toddler was last listed in critical condition.

The Syracuse fire chief says the two children were likely overcome by smoke.

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