Community mourns Plainfield firefighter killed while battling house fire Friday morning
Marques Hudson was pronounced dead at the hospital after fighting a fire inside a home on Emerson Avenue in Plainfield.
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The City of Plainfield is mourning one of their very own. Firefighter Marques Hudson died while battling a house fire on Emerson Avenue Friday morning.
Mayor Adrian Mapp described this as more than just the city being in mourning. He said it was more like a family grappling with irreplaceable loss. Funeral bunting adorns the Plainfield Fire headquarters as a makeshift memorial begins to grow.
Hudson reported for duty at 8 a.m. and within minutes a Mayday call was sent out that he was injured during a fall while battling the fire at the two-family home.
Three other firefighters were injured and taken to Robert Wood Johnson with non-life-threatening injuries. A medical team for on Hudson for over an hour, but he died at the hospital.
“The tragic loss of this courageous young man is a reminder of the great risks our firefighters face every day in the line of duty. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the brave firefighters, like Firefighter Marques Hudson, who serve our state,” Gov. Phil Murphy wrote in a statement.
One resident who lives on Emerson Avenue says she’s sad for Hudson’s family, sentiments felt throughout the community tonight, on the loss of this young firefighter.
Hudson grew up in the city he served. Mapp spoke with high regard for the 32-year-old father of three
“Firefighter Hudson was not just a member of the Plainfield Fire Department - He was a beloved son, a cherished colleague, a dedicated public servant and a brave hero who sacrificed his life in the line of duty,” said Mapp.
Plainfield Fire Director Ken Childress said, “I can not convey the words of how I feel and I’m sure his brother firefighters feel at this time. We suffered a great loss today.”
The governor will be signing an executive order for all flags to be lowered to half-staff.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
