Seven People Killed, 2 Injured in Camden Row House Blaze

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Seven people killed, 2 injured in Camden row house blaze CAMDEN (AP) — An early morning blaze that engulfed a rowhouse and killed seven people yesterday, including four young children, probably was caused by careless smoking, the Camden County prosecutor said. But city fire officials disagreed with that finding, saying there is still no cause determined for the fire that left another child in critical condition. The victims, who were all found crowded into the kitchen in the rear of second floor, included a young couple and two children who lived upstairs. Also dead were a woman and two of her three children, who had moved into the first-floor apartment about two weeks ago. THE SEVEN apparently died of smoke inhalation. The bodies were brought to the Camden County Morgue in Pennsauken for autopsies to be performed today. A firefighter, Capt. William Young of Engine Company No. 9, was injured in the fire and taken to West Jersey Health System in Camden, where he was treated for smoke inhalation, authorities said. As fire investigators sifted through charred and sodden rubble, relatives of victims arrived to receive the grim news. Neighbors said they could hear the screams of the trapped residents from the second floor as the fire engulfed the first floor in front and spread quickly toward the rear of the building shortly after it broke out about 5 a.m. "The crackling of the burning wood woke me up. The fire was right there, but I couldn't get past it. I could hear the kids screaming. I could hear them but I couldn't get to them," said Duane Vautier, who lives two houses away from the house at 900 North 28th St. "I'll always remember the screams, and then they just stopped. The smoke put them down — it was real heavy smoke," said Zayda Cintron, who lives across the street. "Everybody was shouting, 'Throw the kids.'" SAM PLAZA, who lives across the street, said, "The door was blocked. I could only open it a little. Then I broke the door down and all the flames started to shoot out." "They tried to get them out," said Juan Hernandez, a neighbor, comforting a crying Raymond Ruiz shortly after Ruiz arrived and learned his niece was among the victims. "My sister's gone. My sister's gone," cried Ruiz's nephew, Carlos Ruiz, as he learned of the death of Carmen Valentin, 23. Authorities said her 3-year-old daughter, Yajaira Acevedo, and 4-year-old son, Roberto Acevedo, were also killed. The other victims were Isidro Perez, 24, Sonia Rosado, 19, and her two daughters, Jasmine Maniero, 2, and Dmaris Maniero, 18 months, who all lived in the second-floor apartment. Six victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Roberto Acevedo died at 8:58 p.m. Monday at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, said hospital Vice President Shirley Bonnem.

CAMDEN (AP) — An early morning blaze that engulfed a rowhouse and killed seven people yesterday, including four young children, probably was caused by careless smoking, the Camden County prosecutor said.

But city fire officials disagreed with that finding, saying there is still no cause determined for the fire that left another child in critical condition.

The victims, who were all found crowded into the kitchen in the rear of second floor, included a young couple and two children who lived upstairs.

Also dead were a woman and two of her three children, who had moved into the first-floor apartment about two weeks ago.

The seven apparently died of smoke inhalation. The bodies were brought to the Camden County Morgue in Pennsauken for autopsies to be performed today.

A firefighter, Capt. William Young of Engine Company No. 9, was injured in the fire and taken to West Jersey Health System in Camden, where he was treated for smoke inhalation, authorities said.

As fire investigators sifted through charred and sodden rubble, relatives of victims arrived to receive the grim news.

Neighbors said they could hear the screams of the trapped residents from the second floor as the fire engulfed the first floor in front and spread quickly toward the rear of the building shortly after it broke out about 5 a.m.

"The crackling of the burning wood woke me up. The fire was right there, but I couldn't get past it. I could hear the kids screaming. I could hear them but I couldn't get to them," said Duane Vautier, who lives two houses away from the house at 900 North 28th St.

"I'll always remember the screams, and then they just stopped. The smoke put them down — it was real heavy smoke," said Zayda Cintron, who lives across the street. "Everybody was shouting, 'Throw the kids.'"

Sam Plaza, who lives across the street, said, "The door was blocked. I could only open it a little. Then I broke the door down and all the flames started to shoot out."

"They tried to get them out," said Juan Hernandez, a neighbor, comforting a crying Raymond Ruiz shortly after Ruiz arrived and learned his niece was among the victims.

"My sister's gone. My sister's gone," cried Ruiz's nephew, Carlos Ruiz, as he learned of the death of Carmen Valentin, 23. Authorities said her 3-year-old daughter, Yajaira Acevedo, and 4-year-old son, Roberto Acevedo, were also killed.

The other victims were Isidro Perez, 24, Sonia Rosado, 19, and her two daughters, Jasmine Maniero, 2, and Dmaris Maniero, 18 months, who all lived in the second-floor apartment.

Six victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Roberto Acevedo died at 8:58 p.m. Monday at Children's Hospital in Philadelphia, said hospital Vice President Shirley Bonnem.

Valentin's other son, Alberto Acevedo, 15 months, remained in critical condition at Children's Hospital, Ms. Bonnem said.

Camden County Prosecutor Samuel Asbell said evidence shows the fire began on the second floor, probably in a mattress from careless smoking. He said his investigation is continuing.

"We can only assume the exit ways were blocked — one of them by a burning mattress," said Asbell, suggesting that one of the residents may have tried to drag the burning mattress downstairs.

"Unfortunately, we can only ask a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old, both who are close to death and fighting for their lives," Asbell said.

Asbell's conclusions contradicted those of city Fire Marshal James Hillman, who said the fire unquestionably began on the first floor and its cause was still undetermined.

"He's entitled to his opinion," said Asbell.

Several burned mattresses littered the front of the house yesterday afternoon, but a former resident said they all belonged to her and were out on the porch.

Lissett Albarez, 19, said she had stored them on the house's porch about a month ago when she was evicted until she could find a place to live.

The blaze was battled by about 30 firefighters and brought under control within 45 minutes, said Deputy Fire Chief James McMaster.