By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Mercer County are investigating an apartment fire that claimed the life of at least one person and injured another Friday night in Trenton.
Details regarding what occurred during the incident remain under an active and ongoing investigation, but preliminary information indicates the fire broke out at a residential building near Southard Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the Donnelly Homes housing complex.
According to emergency radio transmissions, firefighters were dispatched to the scene shortly before 9:40 p.m. after reports of a fire inside an apartment building with possible occupants trapped.
Upon arrival, crews encountered visible fire conditions and quickly upgraded the response while requesting additional emergency medical personnel.
Fire command reported flames extending from an upper-floor apartment as firefighters launched an aggressive search and rescue operation.
At approximately 9:49 p.m., responders located a victim inside one of the apartments.
The individual was removed from the residence and turned over to emergency medical personnel. However, moments later, firefighters were advised that the victim had been pronounced deceased at the scene.
By approximately 9:55 p.m., firefighters reported that all visible fire had been knocked down and the blaze was brought under control.
Emergency personnel later removed a second resident from a separate apartment suffering from shortness of breath.
The individual was evaluated by medical crews at the scene.
Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Trenton Fire Department, Trenton Police Department, and fire investigators are expected to continue examining the circumstances surrounding the deadly blaze.