Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the preliminary investigation of the Orange fire that claimed two young children last week is not suspicious.
On Friday, Feb. 20, one-year-old Zion Tony and his six-year-old sister, Jayda McEachin, were killed when a fire broke out in their Central Place home. Both were found dead on the third floor. Seven other occupants of the home escaped.
The preliminary investigation indicates the fire was not caused by arson and does not appear to be suspicious based on the information gathered at this time.
On April 14, 2014 there was an inspection of the property and the smoke detectors were operable at that time. It is inconclusive as to whether they were operable at the time of the fire, according to Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Anthony Ambrose.
The investigation, which is being conducted by the Orange Fire Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, remains active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.