Watch CBS News

Elderly Woman Dies In Jersey City House Fire

JERSEY CITY, NJ (CBSNewYork) -- A fast-moving house fire has left an elderly New Jersey woman dead and seven firefighters injured.

Jersey City authorities say 81-year-old Elsa Ewida was found early Sunday in a hallway near the front door of her two-story home. She was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.

It's not yet clear what sparked the fire, which broke out around 5 a.m., but investigators say there were lots of papers and other clutter inside the home that apparently helped fuel the blaze.

Details on the injuries sustained by the firefighters were not disclosed, but none were considered serious.

Authorities also briefly evacuated three nearby row houses that were slightly damaged by the fire, but no other injuries were reported

Do you know the area where this house fire took place? Sound off in our comments section below…

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.