Irvington Township residents are in mourning this evening after losing one of their own in an early morning fire that killed 18-year-old Jeremiah "Jerry" Maxfield authorities announced in a release this afternoon.
According to acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray, Maxfield was killed in a fatal fire this morning in Irvington after fire broke out in a two-story, wood frame, single-family home located at 15 Arverne Terrace shortly before 2 am today.
Authorities said Maxfield was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:25 a.m. and two other people were in the home but escaped without injury.
Residents in the tight-knit community described Maxfield "Jerry" as a good and humble young man who just wanted to serve God.
Jerry attended the Gravel Hill Church on Seymour Avenue on Clinton Avenue in Newark's South Ward and graduated in June from Newark Preparatory School according to residents.
"He wanted to be a preacher just like his uncle Rev. Maxfield ", a neighbor told RLS Metro Breaking News. "Jerry was a sweet kid and was liked by all of us around this neighborhood. His family lived in that house for many years" the resident said.
"I watched Jerry take care of a sick family member sometimes ago where he nursed the man back to health. I am sad today, I loved Jerry and will miss him", the neighbor concluded.
Authorities said the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire, which is being handled by the Crash and Fire Investigations Unit of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, is active and ongoing.