A 38-year-old woman was killed and her two daughters are stable after crews rescued them following an early morning collapse in Hamilton Township.
According to authorities, emergency responders were called to the 1800 block of South Broad Street in Hamilton Township sometime around 7 a.m. for a report of a collapse inside a three-story home.
Officials say upon arrival, crews helped 20-year-old female escape from the rear of the collapsed structure. A search through the rubble led crews to assist 38-year-old Tika Justice who was found on top of her 16-year-old daughter, who she appears to have been protecting at the time of the collapse.
According to authorities, both daughters were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, where they were listed in serious, but stable condition.
The cause of the collapse is under investigation but officials believe it was caused by an explosion.
According to authorities, South Broad Street area remained closed as officials continued searching through the rubble.
Photos: Jim Feig