A devastating house fire in Paterson, New Jersey, claimed the lives of a family of five — two parents and their three children — on Halloween night.
According to ABC 7 New York, CBS News New York, and NJ.com, firefighters and police were called to the home around 9:50 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, after reports of a blaze, as confirmed by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Video from the scene shows the home’s interior scaffolding exposed and a top-floor window left hanging from its hinge after being blown out by the flames. Paterson Fire Chief Alejandro Alicea said strong winds intensified the fire, spreading it rapidly to the second level of the house. The victims — a 39-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman, and three children aged 14, 12, and 7 — were all found on the second floor. The neighboring home’s siding also melted from the heat.
“The city of Paterson is in mourning,” Mayor Andre Sayegh said. “We grieve for the family of five that were lost. I’ve had some painful moments as mayor, but this tragedy really hurts my heart.”
Alicea told the New York Post that while the investigation into the cause is ongoing, there is currently no sign of suspicious activity. “It started on the first floor,” he said. “When our first arriving unit got there, they reported heavy fire in the rear of the structure. It rapidly extended into the second floor due to the high winds.”
A fire captain and a firefighter were taken to a local hospital for treatment after battling the blaze.
Neighbors told ABC 7 that surviving residents from the first floor tried to rescue those trapped upstairs, but the staircase was already engulfed in flames. One neighbor even used a garden hose in an effort to control the fire.
“They were really good people, friendly. Every time I’d drive by, they would always wave,” neighbor John Miller told CBS News. “To hear about this, it’s unbelievable.”
The American Red Cross is now assisting the seven surviving residents, including a girl with special needs, by providing temporary housing, food, and clothing.
“Our disaster volunteers were at the scene and assisted three people in two families with emergency aid, including lodging, food, and clothing,” the organization said in a statement. “We expect to provide help to four more people who requested to meet with us later today.”
“Losing an entire family of five like this is the biggest loss we’ve seen in a long time,” Alicea told the Post. “It’s not common to have so many deceased. It’s a tragedy.”
