A 26-year-old woman was rushed to South Nassau Hospital in cardiac arrest, but was later pronounced dead, police and fire officials said. Her name was not immediately released.
Three others were in critical condition: a 30-year-old man, a 7-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy, said Lt. Kevin Smith, a Nassau police spokesman. Two others were treated for smoke inhalation.
The 4 a.m. blaze at 45 Broadway prompted the evacuation of more than 100 people who lived in the 62-unit apartment complex. More than 150 volunteer firefighters from Freeport and five surrounding communities responded to the blaze.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The fire's cause is under investigation and has been deemed suspicious, police said. Fire marshals and the Nassau County arson/bomb squad were investigating.
