Child’s play likely caused fatal blaze

A fire that claimed the lives of a couple and three of their children in a Manhattan apartment was probably caused by a child playing with a lighter or matches, authorities said. The couple’s 10-year-old son survived the fire Saturday but remained hospitalized with critical injuries.

Officials say another fatal fire on Sunday in a Brooklyn apartment was probably caused by a candle. A man and his 12-year-old nephew died.

All seven victims died of smoke inhalation, the medical examiner’s office said. There were no working smoke detectors in either apartment, authorities said.