Two Young Girls Die in Newark House Fire

Two young girls, aged 6 and 8, tragically died in a house fire in Newark, New Jersey, after reportedly playing with fire during a birthday party for one of them. The fire broke out around midnight, with witnesses indicating it started on the second floor and spread to the third, severely burning the girls, who were found unresponsive despite emergency responders' efforts to revive them. Neighbors described a chaotic scene filled with screaming and crying as families attempted to escape the flames, and at least 15 others were treated for burn injuries. The investigation is ongoing, focusing on the cause of the fire and the living conditions in the multi-family home, where multiple families resided. Mayor Ras Baraka expressed the community's grief, noting the emotional toll on first responders. Birthday decorations remained visible, highlighting the stark contrast between celebration and tragedy.