Community mourns after fatal fire: 'They were both princesses'
NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) -- A birthday celebration in Newark turned into a tragedy Saturday night.
Family members and an entire community are grieving after the fire claimed the lives of two little girls.
The fire originated on the second floor of a house on Eckert Street, authorities say. The two victims are a six-year-old, who neighbors say was the one celebrating her birthday, and an 8-year-old. It is not confirmed if the two little girls were related.
One neighbor told PIX11 News that she can't get her mind off the image of a firefighter coming out of the house looking hopeless and holding back tears after not being able to save the children.
“I started crying but I don’t want them to see I was crying, they looked like my grandkids,” said Andrew Simpson as he showed PIX11 News the blankets, he said were used to wrap up the bodies of the two children once they were taken out from the burning house and brought to the front yard of his home.
Simpson said everyone was trying to help but the flames and smoke were spreading very fast. He rushed to his garage to grab this ladder and gave it a man who climbed up and tried to rescue the little girls.
“All I’ve seen them putting a ladder up to the window, trying the break the windows out. Was unsuccessful and he felt,” said Dalisa Anthony
First responders were seeing bringing a man out on a stretcher.
“I called them princesses because they were both princesses. Now, I have to come out of my house every morning and not see these babies,” stated Shonda Simpson.
Simpson is hurting, just like this entire community. She said she would see them every morning when she was heading to work, and they were on their way to school.
“Not to hear them laugh that that is painful, very painful.’ She added.
According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s office Witnesses said the girls were playing with fire near a couch in the hallway.
“They had took the furniture out of the front room on the second floor and put it inside the hallway,” said Linwood Dunkin, a resident at this property.
Dunking added he has lived in the property for two years, and has complained to the landlord about furniture in the hallway and other possible code violations, including too many people living in the building.
“Beautiful family. Yes great in numbers, in many cases we are forced to huddle together to make ends meet.” Conclude Shonda Simpson.
Both fatal victims were students in Newark. The district will provide counseling for students and staff.