Fire investigators in Hoboken are trying to figure out what sparked a deadly blaze that left two people dead. Officials say the victims were trapped inside the burning three-story apartment building by the fast moving flames.
The fire at the Madison Street building broke out just after 1:30am Monday. Within minutes flames were shooting out of the upstairs windows. The blaze was so intense that the senior citizen complex next door had to be evacuated for more than six hours. When firefighters were finally able to enter the burned out apartment building, they found the bodies of two victims, trapped in an upstairs apartment.
Battalion Chief Richard LaDage, Hoboken Fire Department: "The guys made a valiant effort to get in, but they were pushed back."
The fire started on the second floor of the three-story building. By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, the entire building was up in smoke. As the flames crept closer to the building next door, more than 50 seniors were roused from their beds.
When the smoke and flames cleared, firefighters found two bodies inside, a mother in her 70's and her middle-aged son. Officials say they died from smoke inhalation. The husband and father who lived with the two victims, along with the building's other residents, were apparently able to safely escape the building.
Fire inspectors combed through the wreckage Monday morning. Their leading theory is that a malfunctioning gas stove on the second floor sparked the flames which quickly spread to the top floor. According to the fire chief, who saw the damage inside the building, the two apartments were completely destroyed.
Battalion Chief LaDage: "Once the building inspector gets done checking what he has to check... I see the cracks in the building. It may have to come down.
According to rescue personnel on the scene, two Hoboken firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blaze. Residents on both sides of the building that burned down are fine, but some adjacent buildings suffered some damage.
The identities of the victims have not been released.
