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It is now confirmed that two (2) children have lost their lives after a violent blaze erupted on April 9th, 2025 around 11:00 PM in Millville, NJ.
Now, with a grieving community & two children lost, residents are looking for answers.
Reports indicate that the nearest fire hydrant to the home was allegedly experiencing “issues”. This caused firefighters to run over 800ft of hose from other hydrants to battle the blaze.
QUICK FACTS:
Eyewitnesses allege fire hydrants had issues.
Residents calling for emergency city council meeting.
Both children in the fire have passed away.
Two homes were destroyed, and four were damaged.
Over 20 people are displaced.
Darius Smith’s Email to the Millville, NJ Mayor & City Officials
Vineland Today spoke with Darius Smith, a Millville resident advocating for transparency and urging an emergency city council meeting to address pressing concerns. Smith has been outspoken about the tragedy online, gaining support from hundreds of residents who have shared and engaged with his posts.
Here’s a concluding quote from our conversation:
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about a fire. It’s about the underlying system failures that allowed it to get that bad. I’m pushing for a full, DOGE-style audit of Millville’s local government—something that brings transparency, accountability, and efficiency.
→ The H0lly City Family Success Center is accepting new items for donation to help support the families involved in the tragedy. You can view their Facebook account here or call them at 856-765-0205.
NOTE: Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. We’re deeply thankful for our emergency responders—their swift action and unwavering commitment help keep our community safe. We'll continue to share updates as we receive them, and we’re here to support those impacted.