Astoria couple die in fire at their home

By Jyoti Thottam

An Astoria couple died and their 23-year-old daughter was seriously injured in an electrical fire that ripped through their home early Friday morning, authorities said.

The fire began in a basement apartment at 30-18 Hobart St., on the Astoria-Woodside border, shortly after 1:45 a.m. last Friday, said Fire Department spokesman Ramon Hernandez.

The smoke and flames engulfed the apartment as the family pounded on their door, frantically trying to escape, neighbors said.