MILLVILLE, NJ — A South Jersey community is mourning the loss of two young sisters after a ferocious fire ripped through a Millville neighborhood late Wednesday night, killing the girls and leaving more than 20 residents without homes.
Key Points
- Fire began late April 9 and spread rapidly due to a ruptured gas line
- Sisters, aged 13 and 11, were killed; over 20 people displaced
- Community and local groups have mobilized donation drives and aid efforts
The blaze ignited shortly before 11 p.m. on April 9 on the 300 block of South 4th Street, starting in a duplex and quickly engulfing six nearby homes. Fire Chief John Wettstein confirmed the blaze was intensified by a gas line severed when the structure collapsed. “The heat was so intense it melted part of a fire truck,” he said.
The victims, 13-year-old Valery Mariana Cardona Gómez and 11-year-old Gissel Samanta Cardona Gómez, were found in the basement of their family’s home. Their father, Jhon Alexander Rodríguez Hernández, told CBS News he escaped with his girlfriend and 2-year-old twins but was unable to rescue his older daughters. “I feel in shock,” he said.
The response to the fire was hindered by a malfunctioning fire hydrant, city officials confirmed. The issue, currently under investigation, has sparked concern about local infrastructure and emergency readiness. While the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, authorities say it is not believed to be suspicious.
Two homes were destroyed and four more sustained significant damage as flames spread from one house to another. The American Red Cross New Jersey Region is providing emergency assistance to 11 displaced residents from four families, offering food, clothing, and shelter.
Community support has surged in the aftermath. Local business Phenom Factory transformed its facility into a donation hub, gathering essentials like clothing, shoes, and hygiene products.
“We’re just trying to get as much as we can,” said Abby Soto, who launched the effort with her mother.
The Millville Soccer Association is raising $12,000 for displaced families, while Christy Funeral Home has begun collecting clothing and gift cards. Neighbors like Shamere Williams have also contributed directly.
“I just wanted to donate to the family because I know this is a painful moment,” she told FOX 29.
As residents continue to rally around the families affected by the fire, state and local officials are working to assess the damage and investigate the circumstances that allowed the tragedy to unfold so quickly.
