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Two Trapped, Killed In Fierce Passaic Apartment Fire

Two people were killed in a ferocious garden apartment fire in Passaic on Sunday.

The fire apparently broke out on the first floor of the Spruce Street building in Passaic and instantly spread to the second and an attic shortly before 9:30 a.m. March 3.

The fire apparently broke out on the first floor of the Spruce Street building in Passaic and instantly spread to the second and an attic shortly before 9:30 a.m. March 3.

Photo Credit: Damien Danis for DAILY VOICE
16 Spruce Street, Passaic

16 Spruce Street, Passaic

Photo Credit: Damien Danis for DAILY VOICE
Two people were trapped and died in the March 3 garden apartment fire on Spruce Street in Passaic.

Two people were trapped and died in the March 3 garden apartment fire on Spruce Street in Passaic.

Photo Credit: Damien Danis for DAILY VOICE

The fire apparently broke out on the first floor in back of the two-story Spruce Street building and instantly spread to the second floor and a cockloft -- trapping the victims -- shortly before 9:30 a.m. March 3.

A vehicle just outside the brick structure also caught fire.

A battalion chief reported heavy fire and smoke right from the get-go.

The adult victims' bodies were found soon after, Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Firefighters had the three-alarm blaze under control within two hours.

Mutual aid included firefighters from Carlstadt, Clifton, East Rutherford, Paterson, West Paterson and Wallington. 

The North Jersey Fire Canteen Support Unit also responded.

Passaic and Passaic County prosecutor's investigators were trying to determine the cause.

Damien Danis took the photos and contributed to this story.

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