Raging House Fire Kills Young Girl, Grandmother In Orange

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ -- A five-alarm fire killed a young girl and her grandmother in Essex County on Saturday, authorities say.

Emergency responders received a report about a fire at 212 Park Place in Orange at 8:24 a.m., according to a statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Orange Police Department.

Firefighters from Orange, Newark and Elizabeth responded to the scene to battle the blaze, which “completely destroyed” the home, authorities said.

Two people died in the fire: Bianca Mereste, 8, and her grandmother, Omilia Mereste, 70, the owner of the home. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Two nearby properties were also damaged in the fire. The residents at 210 Park Place were forced to evacuate, and 216 Park Place sustained heat damage to its siding.

Authorities are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze. No additional information was immediately available, authorities said.

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