5 killed in Newark house fire - KMSP-TV

Children among dead in Newark house fire

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MYFOXNY.COM -

A fast-moving fire killed five people including two children in Newark, New Jersey Friday.

Newark Fire Capt. John Brown says the three-alarm blaze on Brookdale Avenue was reported around 1:41 a.m.

Brown says initially there was a problem with water pressure and the flames quickly spread to three other buildings.

Brown says the victims were in an apartment on the top floor of a three-story building.

Two siblings, 2-year-old Javena Joseph and 3-year-old Javens Joseph, were found dead in a third-floor apartment. Their parents and two other children were able to escape. 

44-year-old Shelton Freeman was found in another third-floor apartment, along with 5-year-old Angela Williams and 17-year-old Nazir Blackstone.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but people in the neighborhood say the vacant house was used by people to smoke crack.

"My deep condolences go out to the victims and their families who have suffered because of this terrible fire. This is a tragic loss for all those affected and our city as a whole. As we continue to work on and investigate this incident, we are also doing everything we can to support the families who have been so severely impacted," said Mayor Cory Booker said in a statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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