32-year-old Plainfield firefighter dies from injuries suffered battling fire in New Jersey
The tragedy marks the first time a Plainfield firefighter has ever died in the line of duty, said Mayor Adrian O. Mapp.
PLAINFIELD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A firefighter has died from injuries he suffered while fighting a blaze in Plainfield, New Jersey, on Friday morning.
Officials with the city said that 32-year-old Marques Hudson succumbed to injuries he suffered during his response to a fire at a two-family home on Emerson Avenue.
Hudson rushed into the home, but never came out.
Plainfield Officials say four firefighters then went into the home after responding to a mayday call. Within minutes they got Hudson out.
Neighbor Armando Martinez says he watched as firefighters frantically tried to revive him.
"They were worried. Some of them were kneeling. Some of them were crying already," Martinez said.
Hudson was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center, where doctors worked on the firefighter for over an hour, but were unable to revive him.
The suffocating grief from his loss has consumed a community.
"I lost someone who was under my direct charge and words cannot -- I cannot convey the words of how I feel," said Plainfield Fire Director Kenneth Childress.
City Councilman Robert K. Graham said Hudson joined the fire department in December 2021 and "exemplified the utmost courage of a dedicated first responder."
Hudson, a father of three, is being remembered for dedicating his life to the service and safety of his community.
"His valor and selflessness were the hallmarks of his character, epitomized in his final act of bravery," city officials said in a statement. "He was not merely a firefighter - he embodied the very essence of heroism, putting the lives of others before his own, a testament to his unwavering commitment and courage. The loss of such a remarkable individual is not only a professional tragedy but also a deeply personal one, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew him."
Gov. Phil Murphy sent his condolences after learning of the firefighter's death.
"Tammy and I send our deepest condolences to the family of Plainfield Firefighter Marques Hudson, who passed away early this morning after succumbing to injuries he sustained while fighting a house fire on Emerson Avenue," Murphy said in a statement. "The tragic loss of this courageous young man is a reminder of the great risks our firefighters face every day in the line of duty. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the brave firefighters, like Firefighter Marques Hudson, who serve our state."
Murphy said he will sign executive order lowering flags to half-staff in Marques' honor.
It is still not clear what exactly led to his death.
"He either fell through the floor or fell down the stairs," Mayor Adrian O. Mapp said in a press conference on Friday.
Mapp, who has been mayor for 10 years, called this the worst day of his life.
Three other firefighters were injured battling the blaze.
Their injuries are described as non-life-threatening.
Ten people were in the home when the blaze broke out, the mayor said.
An investigation is underway into the cause.
The tragedy marks the first time a Plainfield firefighter has been killed in the line of duty, Mapp said.
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