ORANGE, N.J. (AP) — Three men believed to be squatters were killed when a fast-moving fire roared through an abandoned multifamily home in northern New Jersey.
But police officers recued another man after the fire broke out around 1 a.m. Sunday in Orange.
Essex County prosecutors tell The Star-Ledger of Newark that the home had no water or electricity. The three victims found on the second floor apparently died from burns and smoke inhalation.
The fire was reported by Orange police officer Ada Vasquez, who was on routine patrol in the area when she smelled smoke.
Vasquez and fellow officer Anthony Holmes broke down the front door and rescued one man. The officers heard shouts from the other three victims, but the fire's intense flames and heat prevented them from rescuing the others.
It's believed that a heating device may have ignited the fire, but authorities say the investigation is ongoing. No other injuries were reported in the fire, and no other buildings were damaged.
Orange city spokesman Anthony Salters told the newspaper that the fire was a "tragedy of epic proportions."
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:46:33 GMT
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power.
One bird may have been responsible for several hundred Hoboken residents losing power. A spokeswoman for Public Service Electric & Gas says the bird touched a transformer on Clinton Street near Columbus Park Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:07 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:07:39 GMT
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:26:45 GMT
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
A man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Newark Liberty International Airport claimed his fellow passengers on the plane had been poisoned and was screaming about going to die.
Monday, June 17 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 18:56:27 GMT
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and a shore community will receive more than $53 million in federal reimbursement for the cost of removing debris from waterways after Superstorm Sandy.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:20:15 GMT
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
lie Hermann has started her first full day as Rutgers' athletic director. A university spokesman tweeted late Monday morning that Hermann was on campus.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
New Jersey lawmakers are poised to take up a bill that would allow those who are in the country illegally to qualify for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities.
