The 911 call came in around midnight for reports of a fire on Eckert Avenue.
Upon arrival, detectives found a 6-year-old girl and 8-year-old girl lying on the ground with their bodies severely burned. First responders attempted to resuscitate them, but the girls were subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
Video shows first responders bringing someone out on a stretcher during the incident. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was also on scene consoling what appeared to be a visibly shaken firefighter, as other firefighters arrived and surrounded him for comfort.
A man who lives in the house told Eyewitness News that a birthday party was held at the building on Saturday. He said he decided to leave beforehand because he didn't want to deal with the noise.
He also said he had complained to the landlord about possible code violations, including too many people living in the building.
That same tenant says families had furniture in the hallway and that more furniture had been moved there before the birthday party.
"I was fortunate enough because I thought that I would not be able to get no rest anyways, there was going to be excessive noise, that I went to my son's house. Everything I own is gone," said fire victim Lynwood Duncan.
One neighbor who lives next door said she tried to help when she saw the girls being brought out.
"It was painful, it was shocking. They're babies, so who would not have remorse," the woman said.
Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León confirmed to Eyewitness News that the victims were students of the school district.
"We are profoundly heartbroken by the loss of two of our beloved students following this morning's tragic fire at 26 Eckert Avenue. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to their families during this unimaginable time of grief," León said.
León says that counselors will be available for those who need it and that the school district is also reaching out to assist other students and their families impacted by the fire.
As of Sunday morning, the Red Cross says it is assisting at least 15 people from seven families impacted by the fire. The nonprofit organization says it expects to provide aid to others who were not immediately available to meet with emergency response crews.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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