The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Bayonne Fire Department are investigating a fatal fire yesterday that claimed the life of a six-year-old girl, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Just after 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, the Bayonne Fire Department responded to a working fire at 438 Avenue C. Emergency responders found heavy fire andthroughout the two-story building, Suarez said in a statement.
During smoke suppression efforts, firefighters located an unresponsive juvenile – later identified as Saniya Felton, 6, of Bayonne – on the second floor of the building.
The victim was transported to the Bayonne Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m. this morning.
The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Bayonne Fire Department. Foul play is not suspected at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the HCPO at 201-915-1345 or to leave a tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.
All information will be kept confidential.
“On behalf of the entire fire department, I want to express our deepest condolences to Saniya’s family,” Bayonne Fire Chief Keith Weaver said in a statement.
“Any loss of life in a fire is tragic, however, when we see such a young person taken from out community, it is much more difficult. I also want to thank our brave firefighters for doing an excellent job at keeping the fire contained to the building of origin.”
Weaver added that four civilians and three firefighters were treated for minor injuries, while seven residents were displaced and are receiving care from the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross.
The Bayonne Fire Department has also deemed the building uninhabitable, according to the fire chief.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with additional information from Fire Chief Keith Weaver.
