Mother Killed, 2 Daughters Hurt In Hamilton House Collapse

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS Philly) – Officials say a woman died while shielding one of her two daughters as a house came crashing down on top of them Monday morning in Hamilton, New Jersey.

Crews found the 38-year-old woman's body on top of her 16-year-old daughter. The woman's 20-year-old daughter was stuck in debris up to her waist when she called 9-1-1.

A neighbor comforted her while first responders arrived.

"It's devastating, it's like being in a war zone," the neighbor said. "She was half in tears, and so was I. She was buried in rubble."

The two daughters are in the hospital with serious injuries as investigators work to determine what caused the home to collapse. They say at this time, it doesn't appear gas related.

For ongoing coverage, see CBS Philly.com.