Passaic apartment fire leaves two dead, no other injuries
Two people died in a fire at an apartment in the city of Passaic on Sunday morning, Mayor Hector Lora confirmed.
The fire occurred at a two-story garden apartment complex on Spruce Street between Harrison and Summer streets. No one else was injured.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.
The fire appears to have been in the back of the building next to a rear parking lot. Lora said the fire is under investigation to determine the cause. Few details were available Sunday morning. But Lora said that if anyone suspects there’s a fire, they should leave a residence immediately.
“Whenever you see smoke, your first step should be out of the house,” Lora said. “Those are the most crucial moments.”
Some residents of the building were unable to return to their apartments Sunday. Red Cross workers were providing emergency assistance to 10 people in eight families to help them find temporary lodging, food, and other needs.
"It was just a normal Sunday morning, and now this family has to focus their attention on the next steps," Lora said. "This is a tragedy for our city, especially on a Sunday morning, when so many families are going to a house of worship or having Sunday dinner together."
Passaic firefighters were assisted by units from Bergen County to extinguish the blaze.
Check back for updates to this story.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Two dead in Passaic NJ fire at apartment complex
