Investigators Probing Cause Of Fatal East Orange Fire
EAST ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Officials say a 72-year-old woman was killed in an early morning blaze that ripped through a home in East Orange on Sunday.
According to officials, the fire began at around 5 a.m. at a residence on Midland Avenue in East Orange. The blaze then spread to an adjacent home that was under construction.
People watched outside as flames consumed and gutted the home of Maureen Phillips, their beloved neighbor.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, Maureen died inside the house where she lived for more than three decades as her frantic family members begged for help.
"They were outside screaming because their mother was inside," neighbor Florence Dennis said.
At least six people escaped the burning home, including two juveniles, Maureen's 38-year-old son, and a 52-year-old female relative.
"Right next door there was a new constructed house, just built, and of course the flames from the initial house moved right to the constructed house and they just took it down," neighbor Andre Wheatley said. "Just took it down. It was surreal."
Maureen was initially unaccounted for in the hours following the blaze. Her body was later recovered and she was pronounced dead by a medical examiner on the scene, officials said.
Corey, Maureen's son who did not live at the home on Midland Ave., told CBS2 his mother is a retired dietitian who recently had heart trouble and had issues moving around. He said his son was able to save his uncle and his friend, and tried to go back into the home to save his grandmother.
"I got here, the house was engulfed in flames and everybody was already out of the house in panic mode" he said.
Maureen's 38-year-old son and a 52-year-old female relative both jumped from the roof and were taken to a local hospital for treatment, officials said.
Corey said the family was over the home celebrating his mother's granddaughter's first birthday. Those who made it out of the house alive are now getting help from the American Red Cross and extended family.
"We're going to pull together to make sure they have what they need," he said.
Officials believe the fire began in the kitchen of the home and spread.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
