NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. - Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti announced that authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal fire that occurred on Grove Street, North Plainfield.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that at approximately 2:48 a.m. on May 16, 2019, the North Plainfield Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a structure fire on Grove Street.
Upon arrival, several people notified first responders that a female was still in the home. Estefanie Brizuela-Garcia, a twenty-two year old female was discovered within residence and was later pronounced dead.
A twenty-three year old male resident in the home was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset for smoke inhalation and non-life threatening burns to his back.
Seven additional residents, ranging in age from three to forty-two years of age, were able to safely exit the single-family residence.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Fire Investigation Unit responded to conduct an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire, in conjunction with the North Plainfield Police Department.
Investigators from the Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office also responded to the scene and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti stated that it is an active investigation and request anyone with information to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100, or the North Plainfield Police Department