Prosecutor: Sisters killed in Thanksgiving house fire were trying to save disabled father
The victims were identified as Frantzia Fleury, 49, and Pojanee Fluery, 42.
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Blown-out windows, a wood covering where the front door once was, a charred roof and an “unsafe structure notice” - this is the aftermath of a deadly house fire on the day families normally gather together.
“My condolences, you know. It’s a rough thing. Thanksgiving Day, nothing worse could happen,” said neighbor Willie Trotter.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed two fatalities Thursday night at 660 Mosswood Ave. in the City of Orange. The pair has been identified as Frantzia Fleury, 49, and Pojanee “PJ” Fluery, 42. The victims were sisters.
Their cousin Sidney spoke with News 12 in the aftermath of the tragedy. He said that one sister lived at the house, while the other came to visit. The plan was to celebrate Thanksgiving.
“Very tight-knit family,” said Sidney. “Unfortunately, our uncle, the father, he’s disabled and the fire, from what I understand, ripped out and they went up to try to save him, and the two girls didn’t come back down.”
The initial call for the fire came in around 5 p.m. The sisters were pronounced dead just before 7 p.m., according to the prosecutor’s office.
“I mean, the house is destroyed,” said Sidney. “There’s a child, children without their mothers. I don’t know what they have. I’m sure everything got burned. They’re going to need help.”
Sidney said the sisters have one child a piece, one son and one daughter.
He also mentioned the pair’s father has dementia.
“My uncle, I don’t even know if he’s aware of what’s going on," said Sidney. "He’s in the hospital right now. He suffered from smoke inhalation, from what I understand.”
The father and six others were able to get out.
City of Orange Fire Chief Derrick Brown said the fire started on the second floor and that the investigation is now in the hands of the prosecutor’s office.
