Funeral For 5 NJ Children As Union City Mourns Fatal Fire

UNION CITY, NJ — The Union City and Hudson County community continues to mourn the deaths of five local children after a devastating house fire tore a hole in the hearts of a local family.

Funeral and visitation services for the five youths killed in a fire on July 13 are scheduled for this week at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 615 Eighth Street in Union City. An all-night, public visitation will take place from noon to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24. A public Mass is slated for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25.

The fire claimed the lives of Shamira Lopez, 4, Mayli Wood, 5, Jason Gonzalez, 2, Christian Josue Mendez, 7, and Jose Felipe Tejada, 13. All five deceased youth are believed to be related, according to multiple news reports. In addition, eight firefighters suffered minor injuries and were hospitalized after battling the blaze, authorities said.

• See related article: 5th Child Killed In NJ Fire As Family Suffers Unimaginable Loss

On Monday, Union City Mayor Brian Stack said that to say the city is “heartbroken” is an understatement.

“Please consider stopping by [St. Anthony of Padua Church] to pay your respects to the family of these children,” Stack wrote. “Union City is a close-knit community and we stand together in difficult times. When one family is grieving, we all grieve with them.”

INVESTIGATORS: ‘FIRE STARTED ON THE 1ST FLOOR’

The fire took place around 9 a.m. on the 400-block of 25th Street in Union City. According to prosecutors, a preliminary investigation determined that the fire began at 416 25th Street. A building located at 414 25th Street also sustained damage.

The American Red Cross reported that workers lent aid to 30 people from eight families who lived at the affected properties.

Arson investigators have determined that the fire originated on the first floor of the three-story residence, prosecutors said. An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire continues. Anyone with information can 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/

HEARTBROKEN IN UNION CITY: HOW YOU CAN HELP THE FAMILIES

The day after the fire, mourners paid their tearful respects to the victims with a candlelight vigil and display in Union City (see video below).

The tragedy left the Union City community "heartbroken," Stack said.

"It is a very difficult day for Union City," Stack said. "I continue to pray for the victims and their families and offer any resources I can to assist them. I am extremely thankful for the efforts of our first responders who gave their all under extremely difficult circumstances… Union City is a close-knit community and we will rally around these families and offer our continued love and support."

The Union City Public School District posted the following message on its website:

"In this disastrous fire, numerous families, most of them with children attending our schools, lost all their belongings. These families are facing plenty of difficulties and are underprivileged. They are struggling for the basic necessities of life… Your charitable donations can light a lamp of hope in the dark world of these affected families that not only lost their material belongings, but something that they will never recuperate; these precious children that lost their lives in this horrible and fatal blaze."

Union City officials – in partnership with the local school district – have set up a fund to help the victims and families of the tragic fire. Donors can contribute via an online GoFundMe page here, or can send a check or money order made payable to:

Union City Fire Victims' Fund, City of Union City, Office of Mayor Brian P. Stack

3715 Palisade Avenue, 3rd Floor

Union City, New Jersey 07087

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Photo 1: Chasing News / YouTube

Photo 2: Union City