FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 2023

MAN DIES OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN JERSEY CITY FIRE

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

A 50-year-old man has died of injuries he sustained in a Jersey City fire on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

At approximately 12:11 p.m., the Jersey City Fire Department was notified of a smoke condition at 309 10th Street. Members of the Jersey City Fire Department made entry into the single-family residence and located an unresponsive male – later identified as Scot Rienecker, 50, of Jersey City – inside the building. He was transported by Emergency Medical Services to Jersey City Medical Center and later transferred to the Burn Unit at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, where he died on Monday, February 20, 2023 at 8:28 p.m.

A preliminary investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force determined the fire does not appear suspicious at this time and the Cause and Origin remain under investigation. One dog also died in the fire. The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force is actively investigating this case with assistance from the Jersey City Fire Department. 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.