Nephew remembers beloved family member among 2 killed in Trenton house fire

Two people were killed in a house fire in Trenton, New Jersey, on Saturday, the city’s mayor, Reed Gusciora, confirmed with NBC10.

The fire occurred on South Cook Avenue around 11:45 a.m. Trenton’s mayor said that two adults died in the fire and a third person was in the hospital after jumping out a window.

“Just really sad for not only the city, but the entire neighborhood and the entire family,” Gusciora said. “It’s just really sad because it’s a cohesive neighborhood that is very tight, so there is a lot of concern for the neighbors right now.”

The two people killed have been identified by a nephew as William Laster, a father of three, and his partner, Joanne.

“He was a great person,” said Joseph Silvis. “My Uncle was full of life. He never wanted to give up his freedom or his ability to do things.”

Silvis told NBC10’s Kelsey Kushner that his entire family was in town for a funeral for Laster’s sister, who just died from stomach cancer.

He also said he did not know who the third person who jumped from the window was, but police said late Saturday night that it was a woman who was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Andrew Bobbitt works in the mayor’s office and is also a relative of one of the people killed. He said the house that caught fire was the place to go to for get togethers.

“It was like the house to go to and he loved to cook and things like that,” he said. “Right now, we just trying to hold the family together, and keep everybody close right now.”

Firefighters had the block closed off for hours as they fought back the flames.

Deputy Chief James Scott of the Trenton Fire Department said crews found the fire on the first floor of the home when they arrived, but it quickly spread to the upper floors.

“There was a large body of fire when we first arrived,” Scott said.

An adjacent home was also damaged due to the fire, and the American Red Cross was assisting those impacted with temporary housing.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire and are urging anyone with information to reach out to the Trenton Police Department at 609-989-415.

NBC10 will continue monitoring the story and will bring you updates when they are available.