NORTH BERGEN — A residential fire in North Bergen during Wednesday’s snowstorm displaced 12 families and killed one resident and her dog, according to a press release from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
The blaze happened at 1502 43rd St., first reported to the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue (NHRFR) at 4:30 p.m. The Jersey City and Hoboken fire departments also assisted.
After the fire was extinguished, first responders entered the residential building and found a deceased woman on the second floor. They later identified her as Kimberly Henson, 57. a building resident. They pronounced her dead at the scene at 5:45 p.m.
A dog, also suspected to be Henson’s, was also found dead on the second floor.
One newspaper reported that Henson was outside at one point, and may have gone back in to get her dog.
Henson’s LinkedIn page says she was a sales representative for Home Depot in-home services.
Firefighters safely evacuated the building’s remaining occupants. Two NHRFR firefighters injured in the blaze were taken to Palisades Medical Center and treated for minor injuries.
A preliminary investigation has found that the fire likely started in a first floor apartment, the release said. No foul play is suspected at this time, the release says.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit continues to investigate the fire. The North Bergen Police Department, North Hudson Regional, and New Jersey State Division of Fire Safety are also assisting.
Anyone with any information is advised to contact the County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit at 201-915-1345.
