The male victim of last week’s apartment fire at the Berry Gardens Apartments, who had been receiving treatment for his injuries at Jersey City Medical Center, has died according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. The victim, identified as Leon Howard, age 64, from Jersey City, was pronounced dead shortly before 2:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon.
The cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
Last Wednesday, December 8, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the Jersey City Fire Department was notified of an alarm activation at the Berry Gardens Apartments located at 92 Danforth Avenue. First responders to the area found an active fire located in apartment 206 and began fire suppression activities. Howard was found inside his apartment and was transported by Emergency Medical Services to JCMC for treatment.
According to Prosecutor Suarez, a preliminary investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force has determined that the fire began in, and was contained to apartment 206. The investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is pending.
The Regional Arson Task Force continues to actively investigate the fire with assistance from the Jersey City Fire Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/.
All information will be kept confidential.