‘He Had So Many Dreams:' Sister Remembers Teen Killed In Mercer House Fire

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – The sister of the high school teen killed in the Mercer County fire has spoken of the family’s pain in losing a member.

Joseph Kokulo, 18, was killed, and three others were injured in a multi-home fire in Trenton on Friday night, authorities said.

The three-alarm fire took place at the 1200 block of N. Olden Ave, engulfing seven homes and displacing 22 people.

Joseph, who studied in Trenton Public Schools, was a member of the Junior ROTC.

“He was only 18 years old, full of life, and had so many dreams ahead of him. Our family is completely heartbroken,” Joseph’s sister, Favor, said on GoFundMe.

“Not only are we grieving the sudden loss of Joseph, but we also lost our home and nearly everything we owned in the fire. We never imagined going through something like this, this feels unreal. The pain feels unbearable.”

Favor has started a GoFundMe to raise funds for Joseph’s funeral and to support the family as they begin their rebuilding process.

“Any amount you can give will make a difference. If you’re not able to donate, please keep us in your prayers and share this fundraiser with others. Your kindness and support mean more than words can express,” Favor said.

The Trenton Junior ROTC described Kokulo as a dedicated cadet, loyal friend, and natural leader.

“Throughout his time with us, Joseph exemplified the highest standards of discipline, commitment, and respect. He approached every challenge with determination. His positive spirit, quiet strength, and willingness to support others left a lasting impact on everyone who had the honor of knowing him,” the Trenton JROTC said in an Instagram post.

The Trenton Public Schools, through Superintendent James Earle, have mobilized grief counselors to help classmates and staff process this tragedy.

“His uniform was ready in his room for Saturday’s Homecoming Parade. His loss is immeasurable,” Mayor Reed Gusciora said.

Amid the heartbreak and tragedy, there were also stories of bravery.

According to Gusciora, two Ewing officers were among the first on scene, helping families escape.

A local Good Samaritan, Donnie Wilson, was passing by when he saw a child escape and cry out that his grandmother was inside. Wilson stopped his car, went into the burning home, and helped the woman to safety, Gusciora said. He even tried to rescue her cats.

As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe for the Kokulo family raised $5,859.

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