Two men indicted in connection with fatal Union City fire

UNION CITY – The Hudson County Prosecutor announced the indictments of two men involved in the fatal March 4 Union City fire in a press release on Thursday. On May 24, a Hudson County grand jury charged Eddie Gonzalez Sr., 27, and Edwin Diaz, 21, with manslaughter, a second degree crime; causing widespread injury or damage, a third degree crime; and creating a risk of widespread injury or damage, a fourth-degree crime.
Gonzalez Sr. is the father of one year old Eddie Gonzalez Jr., the lone fatality in the blaze, which displaced over 50 families and damaged the church of Sts. Joseph and Michael.
According to the prosecutor, the fire originated at the Gonzalez residence at 1404 Summit Ave.
There, Gonzalez Sr. lived with his son, a five-month old sibling, and Aaliyah Mercado, Gonzalez Jr’s mother. Though the elder Gonzalez was injured in the blaze, Mercado and the younger sibling escaped the building unharmed, per the release.
On May 31, officials issued arrest warrants for Gonzalez Sr. and Diaz. Both surrendered to Hudson County Sheriff’s Officers in Jersey City June 1. They are scheduled to be arraigned on their indictments in Superior Court on June 12.