One person was killed and three people were injured after a fire ripped through multiple rowhomes on a Trenton, New Jersey, block on Friday night, officials say.
The fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. at one home on the 1200 block of North Olden Avenue and quickly spread to other homes. Firefighters worked to rescue people trapped inside. A total of seven homes were destroyed by the three-alarm fire, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora said in a statement.
The person killed in the fire was an 18-year-old male student, Gusciora said. Three others were taken to nearby hospitals; one in critical condition, and two in stable condition.
The American Red Cross and the city are assisting the 22 residents who were displaced.
Police, fire, public works and PSE&G were on the scene. The blaze was brought under control around 12:30 a.m., but a thick layer of smoke lingered on the block for a few more hours.
Resident Arnoldo Esteban described waking up to the smell of smoke and frantically knocking on the bedroom doors in his home, where six other people resided.
Esteban said that after getting out of the building, he was in pain from the smoke. One of the people hospitalized is his roommate, he added.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the brave firefighters and first responders who acted swiftly under extremely dangerous conditions to contain this fire and prevent further loss of life. I also want to thank the neighboring departments who answered the call without hesitation,” Gusciora said in a statement.
“This is a heartbreaking day for our community. To the families affected, especially to those mourning the loss of a beloved son, friend, and student, please know that the entire city stands with you in grief and support.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
