WEST ORANGE, NJ – A deadly overnight fire in a West Orange, New Jersey townhouse resulted in the passing of a man and a woman. The authorities have yet to confirm their identities, but the strong community ties suggest that the victims were an older couple that had resided in their Northfield Avenue home for over 20 years, accompanied by their pet cat.
The smoke was initially detected just after midnight by a nearby resident, who proceeded to dial 911 as a police officer breached the townhouse entrance. Firefighters came on the scene moments later to find residents trapped within the three-story building. Both victims were evacuated from the building and transported to Cooperman Barnabas Hospital, where, sadly, they were pronounced dead.
According to West Orange Fire Chief Anthony Vecchio, a woman, presumably one of the victims, was spotted at a window before reentering the house. Firefighters were able to reach the second floor, but found the victims to be unresponsive. Immediate attempts at CPR proved unsuccessful.
Neighbors described the couple as generous and well-known community members, with one remarking that the couple had plans to move out in August. They had begun gifting some of their possessions to neighbors beforehand. Their tragic death has caused a wave of sorrow throughout their tight-knit community.
The incident also led to one neighbor, located next to the burnt townhouse, being treated for smoke inhalation. The Red Cross is now assisting two other displaced neighbors seeking alternate accommodation. The cause of the fire, thought to have started in the basement of the townhouse, is under investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The house’s smoke alarms were found to be functional.