Man killed, woman and two young girls critically injured in Jersey City apartment fire
JERSEY CITY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A man in his 40s was killed and a woman and two children were critically injured in an apartment fire in Jersey City on Thursday morning.
The man who was killed was identified as Lahcen Elmguielle, 59, of Jersey City, officials said.
The fire started in a second-floor apartment on Summit Avenue just after 3 a.m.
Flames and smoke quickly spread, leading to a frantic rescue effort.
Four victims were removed from their second-floor apartment by firefighters.
Some residents escaped using fire ladders.
"Within the time that we heard 'help' it was two minutes after that the fire department was there," neighbor Ryan Traux said.
A woman, also in her 40s, an 8-year-old girl and 6-year-old girl, were taken to the burn unit at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston in critical condition.
Three firefighters suffered minor injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns.
The fire appears to have started in a kitchen, and while the exact cause is still under investigation, officials say it is not considered suspicious.
The blaze happened above a laundromat on the first floor that neighbors say was recently renovated.
The Red Cross is housing 18 residents from six units.
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