5th Child Killed In NJ Fire As Family Suffers Unimaginable Loss – Belleville, NJ Patch

UNION CITY, NJ — The death toll has risen yet again for a fatal fire that tore a hole in the heart of a New Jersey town last week. On Tuesday, authorities confirmed that a fifth child – a 4-year-old girl – has passed away after suffering injuries in a deadly house fire in Union City that took place on July 13.

The fire also claimed the lives of Mayli Wood, 5, Jason Gonzalez, 2, Christian Josue Mendez, 7, and Jose Felipe Tejada, 13. All five deceased youth are believed to be related, according to multiple news reports.

The tragedy’s most recent victim – Shamira Lopez, 4 – passed away after being taken to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office stated Tuesday. Lopez, Gonzalez, Mendez and Tejada are believed to be siblings, and Wood is their cousin, ABC7 New York and NJ.com reported.

According to prosecutors, an adult man and woman were also injured in the fire and are in stable condition. ABC7 said it’s believed the male victim is the brother of Gonzalez, Mendez and Tejada, and the injured woman is another relative of the tragedy-stricken family.

In addition, eight firefighters suffered minor injuries and were hospitalized after battling the blaze, authorities said.

The fire took place on Friday around 9 a.m. on the 400-block of 25th Street in Union City. According to prosecutors, a preliminary investigation determined that the fire began at 416 25th Street. A building located at 414 25th Street also sustained damage.

The American Red Cross reported that workers lent aid to 30 people from eight families who lived at the affected properties.

Arson investigators have determined that the fire originated on the first floor of the three-story residence, prosecutors said. An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire continues. Anyone with information can contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/

HEARTBROKEN IN UNION CITY: HOW YOU CAN HELP THE FAMILIES

The day after the fire, mourners paid their tearful respects to the victims with a candlelight vigil and display in Union City (see video below).

The tragedy left the Union City community “heartbroken,” Mayor Brian Stack said.

“It is a very difficult day for Union City,” Stack said last week. “I continue to pray for the victims and their families and offer any resources I can to assist them. I am extremely thankful for the efforts of our first responders who gave their all under extremely difficult circumstances… Union City is a close-knit community and we will rally around these families and offer our continued love and support.”

The Union City Public School District posted the following message on its website:

“In this disastrous fire, numerous families, most of them with children attending our schools, lost all their belongings. These families are facing plenty of difficulties and are underprivileged. They are struggling for the basic necessities of life… Your charitable donations can light a lamp of hope in the dark world of these affected families that not only lost their material belongings, but something that they will never recuperate; these precious children that lost their lives in this horrible and fatal blaze.”

Union City officials – in partnership with the local school district – have set up a fund to help the victims and families of the tragic fire. Donors can contribute via an online GoFundMe page here, or can send a check or money order made payable to:

Union City Fire Victims’ Fund, City of Union City, Office of Mayor Brian P. Stack

3715 Palisade Avenue, 3rd Floor

Union City, New Jersey 07087

Image via GoFundMe (a Patch promotional partner)

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Chasing News / YouTube

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