Person dies in Jersey City building fire

Blaze on fifth floor of College Towers apartment leaves one dead

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:55pm

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A person died in a fire Tuesday night in an apartment in the College Towers area of Jersey City, officials said. Firefighters arrived and found a fire on the fifth floor of the building and found one person unconscious inside, who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Why it matters

Fires in multi-unit residential buildings can pose a serious threat to public safety, especially when they result in loss of life. This incident highlights the importance of fire safety protocols and emergency response procedures in densely populated urban areas.

The details

The fire was reported shortly before 9 p.m. and was extinguished by 11 p.m. The Red Cross responded to assist five adults and two children who were displaced. The fire is under investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

  • The fire was reported shortly before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The fire was extinguished by 11 p.m. on the same day.

The players

James Solomon

The mayor of Jersey City.

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What they’re saying

“My heart and condolences go out to the family of the victim of tonight's fire. No words can ease the pain of this loss, but I know that all of Jersey City grieves with them.”

— James Solomon, Mayor of Jersey City

What’s next

The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness in densely populated urban areas, where the risk of loss of life can be high in the event of a building fire.