Essex Prosecutor's Office: Fire victim was burned badly; dental records were used to identify her

The Nutley woman who died in a fire at 276 Harrison St. Thursday morning was burned so badly that authorities had to used dental records to positively identify her, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Press Secretary Paul Loriquet said today.

The victim was ultimately identified as 35-year-old Rebecca Lee, of 276 Harrison St., according to Nutley Fire Inspector Lt. David Wilson.

The fire, which was reported to public safety at 5:42 Thursday morning, was contained to the home's second floor, according to Wilson. It was completely extinguished within 15 minutes of the fire department's arrival on the scene.

As Nutley units worked at the scene, units from Belleville and Lyndhurst provided backup coverage for the rest of the town, according to Wilson.

The Nutley Fire Department, Nutley Police Department, Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the Regional Medical Examiners Office are conducting a full-scale investigation as to the cause of the fire, Wilson said.

About an hour after officials left the scene of the fire, workers could be seen nailing up wooden boards to cover broken windows in the front portion of the home's second floor. Others were removing items from the home, where there appeared to be minimal damage on the first floor.

From time to time, curious onlookers, who were driving by, would slow down to look at the home. One resident, who asked her last name not be used, said while she didn't know the victim, she still felt deep pain about the community's loss.

"I didn't know her at all, but I wanted to come by to pay respects," the woman said. "In a small community like this one, when one person suffers, we all suffer. This is a terrible tragedy."

Loriquet says an autopsy is pending to determine the precise cause of Ms. Lee's death.

34-year-old woman dies in Nutley fire

A 34-year-old Nutley woman died in a fire early this morning, Detective Lt. Steven L. Rogers said.

Rogers says police here received a 9-1-1 call about a fire at 276 Harrison St. Both police and fire responded to the scene, and when they did, they found the woman, whose name has not yet been released, dead.

Though the Essex County Prosecutor's Office's Arson Squad is investigating the fire, Rogers says he believes there is no reason to believe anything suspicious led to the fire or the victim's unfortunate death.

We'll have more as this story continues to develop.

4th of July tips from the Nutley Fire Department

Despite the state ban on the use of fireworks, Commissioner Alphonse Petracco, director of public safety, is extending a warning to all citizens intent on participating in traditional holiday festivities this Fourth of July. Petracco recently pointed out the obvious and not-so-obvious implications of citizens using fireworks on their own.

“With the summer months, there’s dry conditions," he said. "Especially around now, fireworks are extremely hazardous."

Deputy fire Chief Mark Guiliano says the smaller firecrackers cause the most problems, both outside and around the home.

“Bottle rockets have caused a lot of gutter fires where the rocket will get caught in the eaves of houses and start fires. Of course, they are illegal, but many people use them on their own. We get a lot of brush fires around this time that are caused by people setting off fireworks,” Guiliano said.

Only “caps” for a cap gun are legal for sale and use in New Jersey.

There has been an increase in vandalism to municipal and private property from fireworks. Residents are urged to call 9-1-1 if they see fireworks being used or sold.

You may prevent an injury or property damage, possibly your own.

New Jersey residents are prohibited from having fireworks shipped to their home, possessing, using and of course selling them. Parents should always check packages delivered to their home and monitor their child’s room for any type of fireworks or other illegal material. Purchasing fireworks in other states and transporting them in your car is illegal and very dangerous.