The Fire Department says a fire that ripped through a Queens home killing three children and an elderly man Tuesday night was caused by a child who was playing with a lighter.

Firefighters say at least 19 people lived in the home on Denman Street and they're looking into whether the living arrangements may have been illegal.

The fire broke out around 6:15 Tuesday night in the basement.

It appears the children's mother, 27-year-old Jennifer Gaston, rescued two of her five children, but couldn't get to the other three.

The bodies of a 1-year-old girl and her 5- and 6-year-old brothers were found in the basement, as well as the body of an 87-year-old man who may have been trying to save the children.

Neighbors say they will be missed

"We've known them for a long time,