3 Dead In Clifton Fire, 4 Emergency Responders Hospitalized: Police

CLIFTON, NJ - A Friday night fire in Clifton claimed the lives of three residents and sent four emergency responders to the hospital, authorities said.

The blaze, which was reported on Ladwik Lane at around 7:30 p.m., is currently being investigated by the Clifton Police Department, Clifton Fire Department, and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, Clifton police said.

Three individuals, Steven Warga, 65, Elaine Warga, 71, and Helen Popovich, 95, all of Clifton, were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth individual was listed in stable condition at St. Joseph's University Hospital Medical Center.

Three firefighters and a police officer were taken to an area hospital for injuries sustained during the incident, police said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families,” police said.

In a Saturday afternoon Facebook post depicting crews of E5, L2 & EMS1, the Clifton Fire Department asked residents to keep the fire department in their prayers.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Anyone with information about the fire is urged to contact the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.