UPDATED: Two children killed in five-alarm Union City fire at residential building, prosecutor says

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Three children were killed and at least two other young residents are in critical condition as the result of a five-alarm Union City fire that burned for hours this morning, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said in an update this evening. 

Screenshot of a Facebook video provided by Union City resident Eddie Miranda.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

The first call about a fire on 416 25th Street came in at 8:54 a.m. and was placed under control at 11:26 a.m., Suarez told a small group of reporters gathered at the scene this afternoon.

While she commended the job North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue did in extinguishing the blaze, she said that two children were killed and six other residents, four of them also children, were sent to the hospital to be treated for their injuries.

The prosecutor added that 16 firefighters were treated on the scene for minor injuries, while another six firefighters had to be hospitalized.

The Jersey City and Hoboken Fire Departments, Union City Police Department, Union City Emergency Medical Services and even members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives responded to the incident.

Nearby resident Eddie Miranda, who was still visibly shaken around 1:30 p.m. after witnessing the blaze, described the incident as “something out of a horror movie” and emphasized that he hopes justice was served in light of the tragedy.

In an update from the prosecutor’s office at 9:16 p.m. this evening, Suarez said in a statement that a seven-year-old boy that was in critical condition had died.

She had previously said that a two-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl perished in the fire.

The prosecutor further stated that two other children are in critical condition, along with an adult female, while an adult male has been upgraded to stable condition.

In addition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the NJ State Fire Marshals Office are also aiding with the investigation.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the prosecutor’s office at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on their website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.

All information will be kept confidential.

 

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with new information. 


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