By: Richard L. Smith
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is leading the investigation into a devastating five-alarm fire in Orange that claimed the lives of two young children and destroyed a home Saturday morning.
Authorities said the victims, believed to be approximately 7 and 8 years old, were discovered inside the burned structure after firefighters brought the intense blaze under control.
The children were pronounced dead at the scene.
The fire broke out at a residence in the 200 block of Park Place, where police initially reported smoke coming from the building and concerns that occupants could still be inside.
Firefighters arrived to find rapidly deteriorating conditions as flames quickly spread through the structure.
The incident escalated into a five-alarm fire, drawing more than 100 firefighters from Orange and numerous Essex County departments, including Newark, West Orange, Irvington, Bloomfield, and other surrounding communities. Crews battled the fire for several hours as command officials ordered a defensive strategy after heavy flames engulfed much of the building and threatened nearby structures.
Residents in neighboring buildings were evacuated as firefighters worked to stop the fire from spreading.
During the operation, emergency officials also had to contend with a downed power line near the front of the fire building, creating additional hazards for crews.
Once the fire was brought under control, firefighters conducted searches of the heavily damaged home, where the two children were found inside.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is now leading the investigation alongside local and county fire investigators to determine how the deadly blaze began.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims, pending family notification.