UPDATE: Arson Unit Investigates Death of 80-Year Old, Jersey City Man

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez released the following press release this afternoon concerning the death of a male, senior citizen, who died on Friday night following a fire at his Danforth Avenue apartment in a senior citizen building.

The incident is being investigated as a potential arson.

HUDSON COUNTY REGIONAL ARSON TASK FORCE INVESTIGATING JERSEY CITY FIRE THAT KILLED 80-YEAR-OLD MAN

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Jersey City Fire Department are investigating a three-alarm fire that killed an 80-year-old man in Jersey City Friday evening.

On Friday, October 16, 2020, just after 8:30 p.m., the Jersey City Fire Department responded to an alarm activation for a three-alarm fire at 92 Danforth Avenue, a senior apartment building.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a working fire that was confined an apartment located on the second floor. The Jersey City Fire Department forced entry into the unit and was met with a heavy smoke condition. Firefighters located a small fire located in the living area of the apartment where a mattress was located close to the floor. An 80-year-old man who resided in the apartment was pulled from the mattress with serious burns on his body and was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. The fire was reported under control at 9:18 p.m.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation. The cause and manner of death is pending with the Regional Medical Examiner.