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Lahcen Elmguielle, 59, of Jersey City, was pronounced dead at Jersey City Medical Center following a fire at 296 Summit Ave. on Thursday, May 1, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.
The Jersey City Fire Department was called to the three-story building shortly after 3 a.m., Suarez said. First responders arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the structure.
“During suppression activities, firefighters located four individuals with serious injuries inside a second floor apartment unit,” Suarez said.
Elmguielle was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead before 8 a.m.
The other victims — a 40-year-old woman, an 8-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old girl — were taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, where they remain in critical condition, officials said.
A fifth person, who lives on the third floor, was treated for minor injuries and released. Four firefighters are also being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Suarez said.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Jersey City Fire Department. “Foul play is not suspected at this time,” Suarez said.
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