A New York City boy had passed away over the weekend after sustaining severe wounds during a huge house fire triggered by candles.
Matthew Pichardo, 9, was pronounced dead at Saint John’s Hospital at around 6:30 a.m. Sunday.
The fire left three other people with minor injuries. Detectives believe the blaze erupted amid a religious ceremony with dozens of lit candles.
“It’s a tragedy, man,” a neighbor said. “A little boy’s not supposed to die like that.”
A friend of the victim’s dad had since set a fundraiser page for Matthew’s funeral costs and the damaged house restoration.
“I’ve known Sergio for 15 years and from our daily conversations I can tell you that he is one of the best fathers I’ve ever known when he speaks of his two boys.”
“It’s certainly one of my highlights of each day to hear about his time with his boys.”
