By: Richard L. Smith
Officials in West Orange are looking into the cause of a fire that killed two residents at a townhouse complex Tuesday morning. 
West Orange Spokesman Joe Fagan told RLS Media that at 12:18 this morning, the West Orange Fire Department (WOFD) responded to a structure fire at 595 Northfield Avenue, Northfield Townhouses, a three-story, occupied, attached wood-frame residential dwelling.
Spokesman Fagan said responding personnel encountered heavy fire in the basement of the unit.
An aggressive interior attack and search and rescue operation were initiated.
The fire was brought under control approximately 45 minutes later, with no reported extension into adjacent apartments.
During the search, Spokesman Fagan said crews removed two victims, a male and a female, from the dwelling and began life-saving treatment on scene with an ALS unit.
Both victims were transported to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, where they were pronounced deceased.
Additionally, a neighbor was evaluated for smoke inhalation by mutual aid EMS on the scene.
An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is underway, with the WOFD, West Orange Police Department (WOPD), and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office involved due to the fatalities.
The Red Cross was notified to assist neighboring residents who were displaced due to smoke conditions.
There have been no reported injuries to emergency personnel at this time.
