8-month-old boy, 11-year-old girl killed in Jersey City fire

JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) – Two children, an 8-month-old boy and an 11-year-old girl, died in a fire that ripped through a New Jersey home on Wednesday night.

The fire started on the first floor of the house on Martin Luther King Drive in Jersey City just after 11:30 p.m.

First responders were met outside by a mother and 6-year-old son, who said two children were still inside the house.

After fighting through thick smoke, firefighters located two victims on the second floor.

The 11-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, while her 8-month-old brother was rushed to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:24 a.m.

The fire was reported under control at 12:07 am.

“I don’t even want to imagine,” neighbor Lawrence Anderson told Eyewitness News. “This is the age of the children I teach. Any child in danger hurts me.”

Three police officers were treated for smoke inhalation.

“We knocked on the door, people were shouting and saying: ‘Help! Get out! “” Said neighbor Brandy Williams. “I’m just shocked. I sent prayers, I hope for the cops who are injured. We thank you all for trying to help us.”

Residents of several terraced houses, which were damaged by smoke, were given shelter.

The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force is working to determine the cause of the blaze.

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