Union City Fire: 4th Child Dies, Community Rallies For Families

UNION CITY, NJ — A New Jersey city already mourning in the wake of a fatal house fire that claimed the lives of three children last week was rocked with a tragic update on Monday: a fourth youth injured in the blaze has passed away.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office reported the 13-year-old boy’s passing on Monday morning following last week's fatal fire in Union City. All four deceased children – which also include a 5-year-old girl and two boys, ages 2 and 7 – are believed to be related, NJ.com reported.

The fire also injured several other people, including eight firefighters hospitalized battling the blaze, authorities previously said.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office released the names of the four deceased youths on Monday:

• Mayli Wood, 5
• Jason Gonzalez, 2
• Christian Josue Mendez, 7
• Jose Felipe Tejada, 13

Prosecutors also gave an updated injury report:

“Seven people were injured in the fire including the four fatalities. One additional child, a four- year-old girl, remains in critical condition in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. An adult female and an adult male are in stable condition. Additionally, eight firefighters were transported by Emergency Medical Services to area hospitals where they were treated for various minor injuries.”

The fire took place on Friday around 9 a.m. on the 400-block of 25th Street in Union City. According to prosecutors, a preliminary investigation determined that the fire began at 416 25th Street. A building located at 414 25th Street also sustained damage.

An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is pending, authorities said.

• See related article: Union City Fire Kills Several Children; City Heartbroken

Union City officials have set up a fund to help the victims of the tragic fire. Donors can contribute via an online GoFundMe page here, or can send a check or money order made payable to:

Union City Fire Victims' Fund, City of Union City, Office of Mayor Brian P. Stack

3715 Palisade Avenue, 3rd Floor

Union City, New Jersey 07087

In the wake of the fire, Union City Mayor Brian Stack said that he and the city were "heartbroken."

"It is a very difficult day for Union City," Stack said. "I continue to pray for the victims and their families and offer any resources I can to assist them. I am extremely thankful for the efforts of our first responders who gave their all under extremely difficult circumstances… Union City is a close-knit community and we will rally around these families and offer our continued love and support."

The Prosecutor's Homicide Unit and the Union City Police Department are actively investigating the fatal fire with assistance from the NJ State Fire Marshals Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Anyone with information can contact the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/

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Main Photo via Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office (Sergeant Crowe and Detective Bellini of the Arson Investigations Unit)