Millville, N.J. — A devastating fire that erupted late Wednesday night in Millville has claimed the lives of two young children and left a community in mourning. The blaze, which tore through the 300 block of South 4th Street, destroyed multiple residences and displaced 23 people.
Among the victims were two sisters, 9-year-old Valery and 13-year-old Sammy, who tragically perished as the fire engulfed their home. Family members consoled one another amidst the charred remains, grappling with the sudden loss.
The fire’s intensity was exacerbated by a gas line rupture, according to local fire officials, which caused flames to spread rapidly from one structure to another. Millville Fire Chief John Wettstein explained that part of a building collapsed, severing the gas line, thus feeding the fire and increasing its ferocity.
Survivors recounted dramatic escapes from the flames. Iteaia Broughton, a mother of three affected by the disaster, described the chaos. “I just put my baby on my shoulder and went outside and I grabbed my son. I don’t know what happened,” Broughton said. She, like many others, was left without essentials, her children lacking even shoes and a coat.
The firefighting efforts were hampered by a malfunctioning fire hydrant on the block, which forced responders to extend their hoses over 800 feet to access an alternative water source. This issue added critical minutes to the response time, during which residents watched helplessly as their homes burned.
Mayor Benjamin Romanik stated that the hydrant problem would be investigated to prevent such issues in future emergencies. Meanwhile, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, but initial reports suggest it wasn’t intentional.
One adult was also injured during the incident, though they are expected to recover. This individual, described as a relative of the two girls who died, is coping with both physical and immense emotional trauma.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Millville community has shown remarkable solidarity. Residents from diverse backgrounds have come together to support the affected families. “There’s something amazing that no matter what color you are, what religion, what language you speak, they got together,” noted Arcelia Vivar Espinoza, a local resident.
Efforts to aid those displaced have been coordinated quickly, with donations of food, water, and other essentials pouring in. The Phenom Factory, a local business, has become a central collection point for these contributions. They plan to release an updated list of needed items to ensure that assistance is as effective as possible.
As this small New Jersey community reels from the impact, the stories of loss, survival, and communal resilience paint a poignant picture of tragedy intertwined with human solidarity.