A fire swept through a neighborhood in southern New Jersey, resulting in the tragic deaths of two young sisters and the destruction of six homes. The fire is believed to have originated in a duplex where the girls’ family resided, according to authorities. The cause of the fire in Millville is still being investigated, but fire officials do not suspect foul play, as stated by city Fire Chief John Wettstein.
The children’s father sustained injuries in the fire, which proved challenging to contain and took several hours to bring under control after it was reported around 11 p.m. on Wednesday. By the time firefighters arrived, two homes were already engulfed in flames, with the fire quickly spreading to a third. The intensity of the heat even caused damage to a fire truck and a parked car.
The initial firefighting efforts were hindered by a malfunctioning nearby hydrant, forcing crews to lay over 800 feet of hose to another hydrant and a similar distance to a third hydrant to combat the blaze, which raged on for hours before being extinguished.
Tragically, the bodies of the girls, aged 8 and 10, were discovered amid the debris on Thursday afternoon, as confirmed by city officials. The names of the girls have not been disclosed, and their father, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. His identity has also not been revealed.
Approximately 24 residents were displaced by the fire, with one woman recounting how she and her three children managed to escape their burning home safely thanks to her boyfriend, who was awakened by the blaze and guided them to safety.
Located about 30 miles west of Atlantic City, Millville now faces the aftermath of this devastating fire that claimed the lives of the young sisters and left a community in mourning.
