Courtesy of Newark-WABC
Photo By Scott Wentworth
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Early this morning, flames engulfed a building in Newark. The fire killed two young girls and left more than 57 people homeless.
It is an emotional time for one community in Newark. They are trying to come to grips with the deaths of two little girls. The children were killed when flames ripped through five homes and left over 57 people homeless.
The blaze spread fast and furious, shooting flames, ash and smoke high into the sky. The fire started in a red apartment building on Mt. Prospect Avenue and quickly engulfed the wood framed buildings beside it. Twenty-five Newark fire units rushed to the scene and they were told six-year-old Destiny Martinez and her eight-year-old sister, Tasha, were trapped on the third floor. But the flames were too much. Neighbor Pablo Melendez has a swollen hand from pounding on doors trying to get people out. He went inside the girls' smoke-filled apartment.
Photo By Scott Wentworth
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Pablo Melendez, Neighbor: "We kicked down the door and the living room was the first thing that you see. We screamed and hollered for anybody because the smoke started in the back and it was impossible to see in there."
Fire crews worked to put out hotspots in the morning to be able to get inside the charred building. But there are other challenges.
Bob Swales, Newark Fire Department Spokesman: "One of the problems is that the other two buildings are unstable. We have to remove them first so we that we then can move in on the fire building where the children are."
The cause of the fire is unknown, but the investigation has led police to question the girls' father.
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Sergeant Robert Koval, Newark Police: "Down in our homicide-robbery unit, we the have father, Mr. Joseph Martinez, 31-years-old, with the detectives. He is giving a statement. There are allegations that he may have left the children home alone."
Newark police has charged the father, Joseph Martinez, with two accounts of endangering the welfare of a child. He remains in custody this afternoon.
The Red Cross has been on the since last night helping people who have been displaced from their homes.
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