FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: July 1, 2024

ARSON TASK FORCE INVESTIGATING FATAL FIRE IN BAYONNE

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Bayonne Fire Department are investigating a fatal fire that occurred on Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Just after 11:40 p.m., the Bayonne Fire Department responded to a working fire at 438 Avenue C. Emergency responders found heavy fire and smoke throughout the two-story building. During suppression efforts, firefighters located an unresponsive juvenile – later identified as Saniya Felton, 6, of Bayonne – on the second floor of the building. The victim was transported to Bayonne Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024.

The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Bayonne Fire Department. Foul play is not suspected at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345 or to leave a tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.