A family of five, including three children, were killed in a fire that broke out on Halloween night in Paterson, officials said.

The city’s police and fire department were notified of the fire around 9:50 p.m. on Friday, at 15 Emerson Ave., the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.

Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said the victims were found on the second floor of a two-family house by firefighters.

The victims were a 39-year-old male, a 38-year-old female, and three children aged 14, 12, and 7. They were all pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, Sayegh confirmed.

Sayegh expressed the city’s grief, saying, “The city of Paterson is in mourning. We grieve for the family of five that were lost. I’ve been the mayor for seven years, had some very painful moments, particularly during the pandemic, but this tragedy really hurts my heart.”

One city fire captain and one firefighter were taken to the hospital to be evaluated, Sayegh confirmed.

If someone has additional information about this incident, contact the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or email tips@passaiccountynj.org.

To submit an anonymous tip, visit the office’s tip webpage.

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