Jun 26, 2009 12:26 pm US/Eastern
2 Die In Newark House Fire; 3rd Victim In Hospital
NEWARK (CBS) ―
A fast-moving fire devastated a family in Newark Friday morning, as at least two people could not escape the flames.
Neighbors held each other in grief as they heard the news that two young people died in their beloved neighbor's home on Custer avenue. It was just before 5 a.m. Friday when flames raced through the two-story wood-frame home as six family members and friends slept.
Two people jumped out second story windows to safety and three others were carried out unconscious, but two of them didn't survive. One of the victims included the 15-year-old niece of homeowner Jessie Faulkner.
"I've known him my whole life – it's like losing my own family," family friend Steven Wilson says. "As soon as I found out, I came right here to be there for the family."
"[They're] good people, [they] got along with everyone," friend Ursula Williams says. "I'm still in shock – to see something like this is tragic."
The fire appeared to start on the first floor, but officials don't know how it spread so quickly. Arson investigators are going through what's left of the home looking for clues.
"Smoke alarms activated in the basement, [but we] don't know about the upstairs,' Newark Fire Chief Michael Lalor says.
The family was well-known and beloved in the neighborhood, and neighbors say they will band together to help in any way they can."
"[They were] good people, good friends. They would give you the shirt off their backs," Wilson said. "Everybody's here to show their love. They gave their love out, so now the love is coming back to them."
Neighbors are asking for prayers for Jessie's sister, who was unconscious when she was pulled from the home and is now at Saint Barnabas.
A spokesperson at Saint Barnabas says Jessie's sister, Sharon, is in critical condition, fighting for her life.
Please stay tuned to CBS 2 HD and WCBSTV.com for the latest developments in this story.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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