1 person killed in overnight Fanwood fire, neighbor injured during rescue attempt

Officials say the victim was found in a second-floor bedroom.

Toniann Antonelli and Tony Caputo

Jul 25, 2025, 9:11 AM

Updated 12 hr ago

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An overnight fire at a Fanwood home killed one person and injured a neighbor who rushed in to try and save her early Friday morning, fire officials say.
The fire broke out around 1:37 a.m. on Kempshall Terrace, according to Fanwood Fire Chief John Piccola. Crews were met with heavy smoke and fire on the second floor of the home. Piccola said a victim in a second-floor bedroom was killed in the fire, but he was unsure of her age.
"The victim on the second floor didn't make it," Piccola said.
A neighbor who attempted to pull the resident to safety also suffered burns and was transported to a hospital.
Officials are still working to determine the cause of the fire.
"We'll let the investigators tell us how and why," Piccola said, adding that the fire was mainly contained to the bedroom.
Multiple crews responded to the fire, including the Fanwood Fire Department, Union County Sheriff's Office and the State Fire Marshal.