First responders and emergency service providers in East Orange were put to the test Sunday, Dec. 11, by two fatal fires that occurred on different sides of town. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Public Safety Director Sheilah Coley announced Sunday, Dec. 11, that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and East Orange Fire and Police departments were investigating the fatal fires. The cause of each fire is still undetermined.
EAST ORANGE, NJ — First responders and emergency service providers in East Orange were put to the test Sunday, Dec. 11, by two fatal fires that occurred on different sides of town, the first at approximately 4:30 a.m. at a three-family house at 60 Midland Ave. and the second at 2:52 p.m. at 25 North Harrison St.
“Our city suffered two devastating fatal fires that claimed the lives of residents Maureen Phillips and Kouadio Loboue,” Mayor Lester Taylor said Tuesday, Dec. 13. “No words can adequately express the sorrow that is being felt citywide, and our prayers are with the surviving members and their loved ones.”
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Public Safety Director Sheilah Coley announced Sunday, Dec. 11, that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and East Orange Fire and Police departments were investigating the fatal fire.
“At approximately 5 a.m. today, a fire broke out at 60 Midland Ave. in East Orange,” said Murray on Sunday, Dec. 11. “The home was occupied by nine people. Eight people escaped. The owner of the home, 72-year-old Maureen Phillips, was initially unaccounted for, but her body has since been discovered and she was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Murray went on to state that Phillips’ 38-year-old son was injured in the fire and was being treated at an area hospital. She also gave updates about the other seven people who were in the house when the fire broke out.
“In addition, a 52-year-old woman was injured,” said Murray. “She is hospitalized in critical condition. Six others, ranging in age from 36 years old to 1 year old, were in the home at the time the blaze broke out.”
Murray said officials from the East Orange Fire and Police departments, as well as representatives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, are investigating the cause of the early morning fire. They have determined, she said, that the fire also spread to 64 Midland Ave., an unoccupied structure on a piece of property adjacent to the residence at 62 Midland Ave.
“The cause of the fire in still undetermined,” said Murray. The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman Katherine Carter later provided an update on the Midland Avenue fire, specifically related to Phillips’ status, since early on in the investigation there was some question as to whether she was missing or worse.
“Maureen Phillips has been officially pronounced dead at the Midland Avenue fire scene in East Orange,” said Carter. “The medical examiner is there. Her body has been recovered. Sorry for any confusion.”
The North Jersey Red Cross released a statement on Sunday, Dec. 11, that they are assisting the survivors of the deadly early morning fire that had been “displaced by a fire at their home on Midland Avenue in East Orange this morning.” The relief organization said two members of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded “to provide comfort and emergency assistance to the family affected by the fire.”
“Our hearts are with the family as they cope with this tremendous loss,” said Ana Montero, the regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross New Jersey Region, on Sunday, Dec. 11. “Our compassionate volunteers provided assistance to the family this morning and will remain available for support and counseling needs. Seven people received Red Cross emergency assistance for temporary lodging, food and clothing. Comfort kits containing personal care items were also provided to the family.”
According to Montero, Red Cross volunteers remain available to the family for support, disaster mental health services and referrals to local agencies that may provide long-term assistance during their recovery.
Murray and Coley also reported Monday, Dec. 12, that the second fire in East Orange on Sunday, Dec. 11, also proved fatal.
“Yesterday, at approximately 2:52 pm, a fire broke out at 25 North Harrison St.,” said Murray on Monday, Dec. 12. “Kouadio Loboue, 64, sustained fatal injuries. The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Loboue, who was seated in a walker, appears to have been using the stove to stay warm, when his clothing caught fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is active and ongoing. No other information is available at this time.”
Fifth Ward Councilwoman Alicia Holman, East Orange City Council’s official liaison to the Police Department, Fire Department, emergency service providers and first responders, said it’s normal for the city to come together to help survivors when such days occur.
“The city is not taking donations; the city is working with Red Cross with relocation,” Holman said Tuesday, Dec. 13. “Of course, the fire was a tragedy. Condolences to the family, especially at this time of year. As always, the public safety providers do what they do; unfortunately, this time, they lost a life. I want to commend the police department, who became firemen for a day. The police department was out there saving lives by catching people that were jumping out of the window.”
Two fatal fires stun East Orange on Dec. 11 added by Chris Sykes on
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