By: Richard L. Smith
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella has released updated information on the tragic apartment fire at 850 Palisade Avenue in Teaneck, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, February 19.
The investigation, led by Acting Chief Matthew Finck of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and Chief Andrew McGurr of the Teaneck Police Department, is uncovering alarming details about the incident.
The Teaneck Police Department received a distressing 911 call reporting the fire around 12:30 a.m. on February 19.
Responding swiftly, the Teaneck Police and Fire Departments, assisted by teams from Englewood and Hackensack, encountered intense flames.
Amid the fire suppression efforts, first responders heroically rescued three adults trapped in a basement apartment.
The victims, identified as 35-year-old Ranjodh Singh IV, 47-year-old Manjit Kaur, and an unidentified woman, were immediately rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center.
Due to the severity of their injuries, Manjit Kaur and the unidentified woman were later transferred to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
Tragically, Ranjodh Singh IV succumbed to his injuries on the evening of the fire, and the unidentified female victim passed away the following day.
Manjit Kaur is currently hospitalized, battling severe burns.
The fire's cause and origin have raised suspicions, prompting the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Arson Task Force and Major Crimes Unit, along with the Teaneck Police Department, to initiate a thorough investigation.
At this stage, authorities are withholding further details as the investigation continues to unfold.