By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Hudson County are investigating a deadly fire that broke out early Thursday morning in a senior citizen high-rise building in North Bergen, claiming the lives of two individuals.
Firefighters were dispatched to 6299 Grand Avenue shortly after 1:20 a.m. following reports of smoke and flames pouring from two windows in the building.
Upon arrival, crews encountered fire conditions coming from two windows and quickly struck a second alarm to call in additional manpower.
Firefighters worked swiftly to enter the building, initiate evacuations, and locate the source of the fire.
The blaze was brought under control in a short time. Still, a search of the area where the fire originated led to the discovery of two severely injured individuals identified by officials as Reynaldo Tatis, 88, and a 72-year-old female whose identification is pending notification of next of kin.
Despite rescue efforts, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, according to reports from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.
Two other individuals, North Bergen police officers, were injured during the blaze, and the cause of the fire remains under active investigation.
About 27 people were displaced by the fire.