10/13/04  1245 hrs
705 South Broad Street
City of Trenton, NJ 

Firefighters assigned to Trenton Engine 3 and Ladder 2 were alerted to the apartment fire across from their firehouse by bystanders who noticed smoke coming from a window in the building. As E-3/L-2 pulled out of quarters, the officer of E-3 advised dispatch that they had a working fire and to dispatch a full first-alarm assignment. The 2.5 story fire building housed a storefront barber shop with 3 apartments located above and behind the business, with the fire located to the rear of the business in a first floor apt. Command special called an addlt. engine and ladder to the scene, as well as a second Batt. Chief to operate as Safety Officer.

A woman and three children were able to escape the fire apt., but a 15-month old child was found dead in a crib. Firefighters would evidence that the woman attempted to battle the fire herself before escaping with the three kids. The 4 of them were transported to a local hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, as was a firefighter suffering from a minor leg injury. Several other residents of the bldg. were able to escape unharmed. Trenton PD homicide detectives along with fire investigators from the Trenton FD and the Mercer County Prosecutors Office are investigating the fire.