Mother and son killed in early morning fire in Burlington Township, NJ
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- Police say a 62-year-old mother and her 28-year-old son died early Thursday morning after a fire and heavy smoke took over their apartment in Burlington township.
Police tell CBS News Philadelphia that Sandra and Eric Stevenson lived at Northgate Village apartments.
First responders tried their best to save the two but ultimately the flames and smoke were just too powerful.
"This morning, the cops were banging on the door, I jumped up in the bed," neighbor Leah Payne said. "We got dressed and grabbed my things, and when we went out, we see the person laying on the ground. ... The cops was reviving the person but they were already dead."
"The smoke, it was too much for them. The fire department arrived on scene," Burlington Township Police Lieutenant Arthur Gittens said. "The fire department knocked down the fire to the point where they could go in and they removed the people from the apartment."
Once the sun came out, burnt furniture, debris and shattered glass could be seen.
Lt. Gittens says they were first called to the scene at around 3 a.m.
"There were multiple fire trucks from Burlington Township," Gittens said. "West Hampton also responded and officers from Burlington Township."
He says they attempted to perform CPR but weren't able to revive the mother and son.
The fire was contained in one apartment. Police say this is still an active investigation and they're working to figure out what caused the fire.
Another neighbor said she didn't hear anything.
"It's strange how two people passed away in a fire and it didn't seem to go anywhere just stay in their house," neighbor Margaret Shively said.
"Our condolences go out to the family," Gittens said. "We just hope they're dealing with this as well as they can."
Officials say the investigation is being led by the Burlington County prosecutor's and fire marshall's offices.
