A 30-year-old New York man has been taken into custody, accused of murdering his 29-year-old girlfriend after she and their newborn were discovered dead amid a blaze in their upstate apartment last weekend.

Authorities have charged Hidane Haile with second-degree murder in the death of Kathleen “Katie” Carrig, officials confirmed.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office reported that on the morning of October 18, around 8:35 a.m., Buffalo Fire Department crews responded to a fire emergency at a first-floor apartment within a multi-family building located on the 400 block of Norwood Avenue, about 280 miles west of Albany.

Once firefighters extinguished the fire, they entered the premises and tragically found the bodies of Carrig and her four-day-old baby, both pronounced dead at the scene.

Haile, found at the location, was taken to Erie County Medical Center for treatment of smoke inhalation. After several days in the hospital, he was arrested and charged with allegedly causing his girlfriend’s death intentionally, according to prosecutors.

Per the release, an autopsy conducted by the Erie County Medical Examiner determined that Carrig’s cause of death was asphyxia due to strangulation and her manner of death was ruled a homicide.

“The allegations are that Mr. Haile murdered Kathleen Carrig by strangulation, and that he had done so prior to intentionally starting the fire,” Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said during a news briefing, Buffalo Toronto Public Media reported. “We anticipate that the evidence is going to show that he intentionally started the fire with gasoline.”

It was soon revealed that the newborn victim was Noah Carrig, who was only 4 days old. Authorities said the baby’s cause and manner of death remained under investigation as of Thursday.

“We are saddened by the tragic death of this young mother and her newborn baby,” Keane said in a statement. “While this case remains an active investigation, my office has secured an indictment against this defendant who is accused of intentionally killing his girlfriend prior to the fire. We are committed to a thorough examination of the evidence and anticipate filing additional charges against the accused. My thoughts remain with the family of these victims as we continue to seek answers and justice.”

Acting Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon told reporters he did not personally know the victim, but had long ties with her family.

“I can tell you that mine and my family’s connection to the Carrig family dates back prior to my birth, and if my personal experience with the Carrig family is any indication of the type of person that Katie Carrig is, I know that this community has lost one heck of a person,” he said.