SOMERVILLE, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somerville Chief of Police Dennis Manning announced an on-going investigation into a residential fatal fire on Eastern Avenue, Somerville, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Friday, December 10, 2021 at approximately 2:10 a.m. Somerville Fire Department and Somerville Police responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting a residential fire on Eastern Avenue, Somerville, New Jersey. Responding Somerville Officers upon arriving at the scene encountered residents outside of the structure which was fully involved with fire. The three residents which consisted of two adults and one child had injuries as a result of the fire and escaping. Officers were informed that a second child was still trapped inside of the residence on the second floor within a rear bedroom. Responding officers made every attempt to gain entry into the residence but were unsuccessful in gaining entry due to the fire, extreme heat, and heavy smoke conditions.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that the Assistant Fire Chief from Somerville Fire arrived on scene and attempted to gain entry and make the rescue. He was met by heavy fire which inhibited his rescue attempts. Somerville Engine 3 and Somerville Truck 1 were the first arriving apparatus and immediately attacked the fire from the rear of the structure. Somerville Fire Fighters along with the Assistant Somerville Fire Chief pushed through the fire gaining access to the second floor in an attempt to make the rescue. Firefighters recovered the trapped 8-year-old female victim who was unresponsive, recovered and removed her from the burning structure. The 8-year-old child was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Prosecutor Robertson stated the two adults, female age 41, and male age 31, along with a 9-year-old female child were all transported to an area hospital for their injuries sustained which consisted of burns and cuts from escaping the fire. The two adults are in stable condition. The 9-year-old child has been transported to the burn trauma center in critical but stable condition. The New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene and will be performing a post mortem examination on the 8-year-old decedent to determine the cause and manner of death.
The fire was a two-alarm fire. Fire companies from Somerville Fire, Raritan Fire, Finderne Fire, Bound Brook Fire, Manville Fire, Green Knoll Fire, and Somerset Fire all were activated and responded to the scene. Numerous other fire companies were requested on stand-by status. First Aid Rescue Squads from Somerville, Green Knoll, Bradley Gardens, Finderne, Branchburg, and Robert Wood Johnson ALS and BLS responded to the scene to render emergency aid and transport victims. Somerset County Communication Center along with Somerset County Fire and EMS Coordinators assisted command and operations.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit along with Somerville Police, the Somerset County Fire Investigation Unit, Somerville Fire Marshal and Fire Officials from Somerville conducted the fire investigation. A cause and origin have not been determined by investigators as the investigation is ongoing. Preliminary investigation has determined that the two adults and the 9-year-old were able to escape the fire from their respective second-floor bedroom windows. Attempts to reach the 8-year-old who was located in a separate rear bedroom on the second floor were unsuccessful due to the extreme and fast-moving fire.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and Chief Manning request anyone with information relating to the fire to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smartphone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.