Trenton Fire Department Issues Initial Report on Fatal April Fire

Cause of the fire on Carteret Ave. is still under investigation

TRENTON – The cause of an April 2, 2022 fire that took the lives of 20-year-old twin brothers is still under investigation, according to Trenton Fire Director Kenneth M. Douglas. His department issued the initial investigate report today, which details his department’s response to the three-alarm residential fire.

At 6:57 p.m. on April 2, Trenton Fire Department (TFD) arrived at the scene of a three-alarm fire at 836 Carteret Ave. After fighting the blaze and navigating the interior of the building under dangerous conditions, TFD personnel found the two black male twin brothers, Markay and Markim Pierce (D.O.B. 7/20/01), both Trenton residents, deceased under debris from the collapsing structure on the third floor of the residence. TFD also found a pet cat deceased on the second floor.

Four TFD personnel sustained injuries that evening, though not serious enough to be reflected in the report. Investigators were unable to determine if the residence contained any smoke detectors, and have not yet released any determination of factors contributing to the ignition of the fire.

The ongoing investigation will be conducted by the Trenton Police Department Arson Unit.

###