Woman, Son Killed in New York House Fire

NEW YORK (AP) -- A fire ripped through two homes early Sunday, killing a mother and her 6-year-old son, authorities said.

The blaze broke out in a two-story frame house in Queens, then spread to the neighboring home, said Officer George Jensen, a police spokesman. The homes are separated by a driveway.

It was not immediately known what caused the fire or if the woman and child died in the house where the fire began.

The woman, in her 40's, and her son were taken to Jamaica Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Four firefighters were hospitalized and treated for minor injuries. The fire was brought under control nearly two hours after it began.