The Regional Arson Task Force along with the Hoboken Fire Department and Police Department are investigating the fatal fire on Dec. 20 that took two lives and flared up on the 22nd.
The fires occurred at an old industrial building known as the Chambord that was formerly home to My-T-Fine pudding and recently housed several other businesses such as Hoboken Fight Club, Crossfit Hoboken, and Chambord Prints.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s office has identified one of the two victims who died in a three-alarm fire early on Dec 20.
The adult female victim was identified as 60 year old Rose Marie Vos. No further information, such as her place of residence or what company she worked for in the building, was released.
Identification of the second victim, a 60 year old male, is being held pending notification of next of kin.
Two fires in one week
On the morning of the first fire, a police officer heard a loud explosion around 12:20 a.m. on Monday, with first responders finding the building ablaze.
The Fire Department responded and was assisted by the Jersey City Fire Department and the North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Department. The fire damaged several nearby buildings, with a few of them sustaining heavy water damage.
During fire suppression activities, firefighters found the two victims in the warehouse who were pronounced dead. The cause of death is pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s office.
Eyewitnesses told multiple media outlets that they heard an explosion and saw fireballs coming from the building that night. One source told the Jersey Journal that they saw a fireball coming from the upper floor of the building, while another witness told Hoboken Girl that fireballs were coming out of the loading dock.
Firefighters were then called back to 38 Jackson St. in Hoboken early on December 22 when the fire flared up again.
At daybreak, thick gray smoke billowed from the ruins of the building, with police cars blocking streets leading to the site.
How to help
A GoFundMe page has been established to help with funeral expenses for the two victims at https://gofund.me/fd2eb90d.
GoFundMe’s for businesses that were affected by the fire have also been launched. The businesses include Alter Ego Pole Fitness a Black-owned studio who’s fundraiser link can be found at https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/reopening-of-alter-ego-pole-fitness; Naturalist Interiors, a family-owned and operated home furnishing warehouse, who’s fundraiser link can be found at https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/help-naturalist-rebuild-their-family-business; CrossFit Hoboken, who’s fundraiser link can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-crossfit-hoboken;The DIY Joint: https://gofund.me/35746532; Muneca Mullins studio: https://gofund.me/e201d206.
Also: Grayscale Studios https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/fundraiser-for-grayscale-studios; Hoboken Barbell Club https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/recovery-fund-for-hoboken-barbell-club; The Vegan Warehouse https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/rebuild-the-vegan-warehouse; Barsky Gallery of Hoboken https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/barsky-gallery-needs-your-help; and Tonal Art Music Center https://gf.me/v/c/gfm/tonal-art-music-center-coming-back.
Authorities investigating
According to the Jersey Journal, the Chambord building was sold in June for $30,000,000 to four LLCs with an address listed as 200 Washington St. in Hoboken, according to Hudson County Register records.
The real estate website Jersey Digs reported earlier in April that The Taurasi Group was in talks to purchase the building with plans to redevelop it into a mixed-use development called Southwest Market.
Anyone with information can contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on their website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.
