FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Raymond Worrall

PHONE: (201) 320-3550

EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org

DATE: Monday, January 2, 2023

WEEHAWKEN FATAL FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE HUDSON COUNTY REGIONAL ARSON TASK FORCE 

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, at approximately 10:30 a.m., North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a fire at 708 John F. Kennedy Boulevard East in Weehawken. Upon arrival, members of the NHRFR located and extinguished the fire, which was brought under control at approximately 11:05 a.m. The fire was contained to a single unit on the first floor of the apartment building.

While containing the fire, the firefighters located a 69-year-old male victim with apparent injuries caused by the fire. The fire victim was transported to Palisade Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 11:30 a.m. The identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin. The cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.

The initial investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force has determined that the fire does not appear suspicious at this time, however, the origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.

The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force is actively investigating this case with assistance from North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue and the Weehawken Police 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.