Metro

Fire that killed Newark family fueled by plastic flowers

NEWARK, N.J. — Prosecutors say a fast-moving blaze that killed six members of a New Jersey family was partly fueled by combustible plastic flowers on the front porch.

Firefighters at the scene.Angel Chevrestt

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray says Sunday’s fire in Newark doesn’t appear to be suspicious, but investigators still haven’t pinpointed its origin. Murray says the home didn’t appear to have working smoke detectors.

The dead are identified as Salome Stewart and her husband, Reginald Stewart, both 58. Two of Salome’s daughters and two of her grandsons also perished.

One daughter was Natasha Kinsale, who lived in the home. Police say she was 47, but her pastor says she was 35. The other daughter, 43-year-old Noreen “Michelle” Johnson, was visiting from Georgia with her 15-year-old son, Stephan Sydney. Eleven-year-old Zion Forbes, of East Orange, was visiting.