PLAINFIELD — A girl died in a house fire that forced 23 people from their homes early Sunday morning.
A fire at an apartment complex on North Avenue in Plainfield was reported around 1:20 a.m., according to Fire Chief Kenneth Childress. Arriving firefighters attempted to extinguish the blaze, and he had to rescue several residents trapped in the flames on the second floor and he on the third floor.
A neighbor told News 12 New Jersey that they heard screams as the fire moved rapidly through the building.
A young girl was found dead in one of the rooms and an older child was taken to Edison’s Hackensack Meridian Health JFK Medical Center for smoke inhalation, Childress said. The child’s identity and exact age have not been disclosed.
The Red Cross New Jersey helped four families with temporary accommodation, food, clothing and other urgent needs. Disaster mental health services are also now available.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at [email protected]
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