Early Morning Fire in West Orange Leaves One Woman Dead, Family Members Hurt

A house fire in a peaceful West Orange neighborhood killed one resident and hospitalized three others early Friday morning, authorities said.

Local firefighter responded quickly to a two-story residential fire that started before 5 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find significant smoke and flames from the structure, forcing an urgent rescue effort because many persons were trapped inside.

Rescuers removed 36-year-old Chinwe Obi from the home. To access her, firefighters had to cut through an exterior wall with specialized equipment. After being taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for emergency treatment, she died shortly after.

Police said Obi’s medical conditions made the rescue harder and required additional time and equipment. Under extreme conditions, firefighters removed her safely while protecting others inside the home.

Three more women in the house during the fire were hospitalized. Two close relatives were treated for smoke inhalation. Their injuries were non-life-threatening and anticipated to heal.

Fire investigators are still looking for the cause. Firefighters contained the fire after preventing it from spreading to surrounding homes. Residents were cautioned to be cautious as crews repaired the structure.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and West Orange Fire Department are investigating the fire’s cause. Officials are examining scene evidence and interviewing witnesses to discover how the incident originated.

Please call authorities if you have information that could help the inquiry. They stressed that even little details could help explain the tragic incident.

The tragedy shows how rapidly house fires may kill, especially in the morning when occupants are asleep. Fire officials continue to emphasize working smoke detectors, clear escape plans, and frequent fire safety checks to prevent similar fatalities.

Sources
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
West Orange Fire Department