New York City fire extinguished, 3 found dead with throats slashed

FLUSHING -- The bodies of three people were found after firefighters battled an overnight fire in Queens early Tuesday, and authorities say a note was recovered that is being treated as a suicide note.

The flames broke out inside an apartment at 143-40 Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing just before 5 a.m.

The fire, which was confined to apartment 6-C in the six-story building, was quickly extinguished, but the damage was done.

The 911 call came from another tenant who saw smoke coming from the apartment door.

The victims were a 50-year old father, a 54-year old mother, and a 16-year old son.

The note was written in Korean. The father was reportedly distraught over financial issues.

All three were found on a blanket in the living room area with their throats slashed, and the blanket had been set on fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but the FDNY is turning over the investigation to the NYPD because of possible criminality.

Police say all the victims had some kind of stab wounds, and the bodies were burned beyond recognition. The medical examiner's office will determine the cause of death.

Authorities confirm the victims were two males and one female. They did not identify them or give ages.

Three firefighters were hurt battling the blaze, but none of the injuries is believed to be life threatening.