Family Jumps Out Third-Floor Window to Escape Blaze

A mother and her five children were forced to jump out of a third-floor window when a fire broke out early Wednesday morning in their Newark apartment.

The blaze, which began at 12:24 a.m. in the bathroom of the apartment at 224 S. Orange Ave., apparently blocked the front door exit, leaving the family with no choice but to jump out the window, according to Capt. John Brown, spokesperson for the Newark Fire Department.

The fire was put out in 20 minutes, he said.

The cause of the blaze has been ruled accidental, originating from an unattended candle, according to Brown. The family, who had just moved into the apartment Monday, had been using candles for light until their power was turned on later this week.

The injuries of the family, ages 6, 8, 9, 14, 17 and a 39-year-old mother, do not appear to be life threatening, Brown said. All six were treated by EMS and transported to University Hospital.