7-year-old boy who died in Newark house fire ‘always wanted to have fun’ – NJ.com
The 7-year-old boy who died in a Newark house fire last week had an “old soul” for such a young kid, his great aunt recalled.
Saahir Keiron Hartfield was dressed in new sneakers and a durag for a birthday party one year and came outside to show off the outfit to his great aunt. She was staring at her phone instead, so he stomped his feet to get her attention.
“He just put his hands on his hips like, ‘Look at my outfit,’” Kamilah Richardson said of her nephew.
Saahir died in an early morning house fire that ripped through a three-story home on Astor Street on Thursday, authorities said. His body was found on the third floor of the house and his father attempted to re-enter to get his son through the roof, Newark Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara said.
His mother, father and siblings — ages 1, 5 and 11 — were taken to University Hospital, Richardson said. As of Tuesday, she added, they were all released.
“They have a real close, close family,” Richardson said. “So this is a hard pill to swallow.”
A 7-year-old boy died in a house fire Thursday, April 8, on Astor Street in Newark, authorities said.Newark Department of Public Safety
The family lost all their possessions in the fire. Richardson created an online fundraiser to cover the costs for Saahir’s funeral expenses, clothing and food. Clothing donations may also be dropped to a family member in Carteret, according to the fundraiser.
Family and friends stood out in the rain on Sunday afternoon to hold a candlelight vigil at the home. Balloons and stuffed animals were left on the front steps.
Saahir would always give compliments to others and was very close to his other siblings, Richardson said. He was a fan of wrestling and was a first-grader at Philip’s Academy Charter School in Newark, she said.
Family, friends and residents held a vigil for Saahir Keiron Hartfield on Sunday, April 11, 2021 at the Newark home where he died.courtesy of Kamilah Richardson
“I just want everyone to know that he was a breath of fresh air,” Richardson added. “He was just full of life and he always wanted to have fun.”
In a social media post, Newark Central Ward Councilwoman LaMonica McIver called the young boy’s death “heart breaking.”
A spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said Monday the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.