Man Who Died In Jersey City Fire Identified, 2 Kids Critical: Prosecutor

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A man who died in an early-morning fire in Jersey City has been identified, and two children have been hospitalized with critical injuries, prosecutors said Thursday.

Lahcen Elmguielle, 59, of Jersey City was pronounced dead at Jersey City Medical Center Thursday morning around 8 a.m., said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office — five hours after the blaze on Summit Avenue broke out.

A 40-year-old woman, as well as an 8-year-old girl and 6-year-old girl, are in critical condition at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, prosecutors said.

All were occupants of a second-floor apartment, prosecutors said.

A fifth person who was injured, who lived on the third floor, has been treated and released from Jersey City Medical Center, prosecutors said shortly before 5 p.m.

Four firefighters are being reated for non-life threatening injuries, prosecutors said.

They said the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Jersey City Fire Department are investigating the fatal blaze.

They said that the Jersey City Fire Department was notified of the fire at 296 Summit Ave. around 3 a.m.

Public Safety Spokesperson Kim Wallace-Scalcione said earlier that the four people found in the second-floor unit were unconscious when they were rescued.

She also said 18 residents were displaced.

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office posted on social media earlier on Thursday, "Two adults and two juveniles were seriously injured. Multiple firefighters are receiving medical attention for various injuries. Additional information will be released as it becomes available."

Patch will update this developing story when more information is received.