TRENTON, N.J. — Two young children were killed and two firefighters were injured after a three-alarm fire tore through a home in Trenton early Wednesday morning.
Firefighters were called to Hewitt Street shortly before 4 a.m. on August 26 after several 911 callers reported a house fire with people possibly trapped inside.
When crews arrived, heavy flames were spreading from the first floor through the upper levels of the three-story home. Firefighters entered the building while simultaneously battling the blaze and searching for residents.
A 7-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy were found inside the house. Both children were taken to a hospital, where they later died from their injuries. An adult who had been inside the home was able to escape.
Two firefighters were also hurt during the response. One was treated for heat exhaustion, while another suffered non-life-threatening burns to the back of the legs. Both are expected to recover.
The fire also damaged an attached neighboring home. The American Red Cross is assisting at least four families affected by the blaze.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said a firewall helped prevent the flames from spreading to a third home. Officials said the fire appears to have started on the first floor, but the exact cause remains under investigation.
The investigation involves Trenton fire investigators, police, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office.
By NJ RADAR Team