Firewatch an early morning house fire that killed seven occupants. Firefighters were dispatched to the residence at 12:30 a.m. Two victims were found in one bedroom and the other five in a second bedroom. Two adults were initially able to evacuate the house, but one reentered in a rescue attempt and was unable to escape. The second person was injured while escaping. One firefighter was also injured during the fire. News reports indicated that the victims included a mother and her six children. The reports indicated that the father suffered smoke inhalation and burn injuries and was hospitalized in stable condition. Investigators believe that the fire had an electrical origin, but the exact cause and origin were undetermined. It was not determined if there were smoke alarms in the home. There was no automatic suppression equipment present. News photos indicated that the home and at least one vehicle were destroyed. The residence was a one-story, 1,500-square-foot (139-square-meter) single-family home of unprotected wood-frame construction occupied by nine people. Commercial NEW JERSEY Five die in furniture store fire A fire that broke out in a furniture store in the early evening claimed the lives of five people who were unable to evacuate due to smoke and fire conditions, according to media reports. The fire apparently began in a separate business on the first floor in the area of a vending machine. The reports indicated that the victims became trapped by smoke on the second floor and attempted to exit in the direction that they had entered. They sought a second route of exit after having to turn back, but were reportedly unable to exit due to a locked metal gate at the exit door. Three of the victims were children. Police already in the area reportedly made an unsuccessful effort to break through the gate to help patrons. The reports indicated that extensive efforts were required before firefighters were able to extricate the victims. Over 100 firefighters reported to the scene and required three-and-a-half hours to bring the fire under control, according to media reports. The store was equipped with smoke alarms, but it was not reported if they operated. No information was reported on automatic suppression equipment. The cause of the fire was not determined. This was a two-story structure of unprotected ordinary construction. The ground floor area was not reported. 90 | NFPA JOURNAL * SUMMER 2022