2 Die In Fatal Fire At West Orange Townhouse; Investigation Continues

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Two people died in a fire at a townhouse in West Orange early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

According to a township spokesperson, West Orange firefighters responded to Northfield Townhouses at 595 Northfield Avenue at 12:18 a.m. after getting a report about people trapped inside a structure fire at the three-story, wood-frame building.

Firefighters encountered heavy flames when they tried to enter the basement of the townhouse, eventually rallying with an “aggressive indoor attack” and initiating search and rescue operations, authorities said.

Firefighters managed to find two people – a man and a woman – and gave them emergency medical treatment with an ALS unit at the scene. They were transported to Cooperman Barnabas hospital in Livingston and pronounced deceased.

A neighbor was evaluated for smoke inhalation by mutual aid EMS crews at the scene. No emergency responders were injured, authorities said.

The fire was placed under control about 45 minutes later, authorities said. Fire officials are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze.

The Red Cross was notified for neighboring residents who were displaced due to smoke conditions, officials said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.