A Thanksgiving gathering in Orange, New Jersey, turned into a devastating tragedy when two sisters died while trying to save their disabled father from a fast-moving house fire, authorities said.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office identified the victims as Frantzia Fleury, 49, and Pojanee “PJ” Fleury, 42—women described by loved ones as devoted daughters, loving mothers, and the kind of family members who always stepped forward in moments of crisis.
The fire broke out around 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, at the family’s home on Mosswood Avenue, a longtime anchor point for the Fleury family. Prosecutors say the sisters were helping their father, who has dementia and limited mobility, when they became trapped inside.
They were pronounced dead shortly after 6:45 p.m.
Their father and six other occupants managed to escape without injury. The home has been declared uninhabitable.
“Understand these two women had big hearts,” said Sidney, a cousin who declined to share his last name. “They were deeply devoted to their families, and it’s just a tragedy.”
Each sister leaves behind one child.
Neighbors described a chaotic and frightening scene as flames quickly overtook the house. Justin McDaniel, who grew up alongside the family, said their final actions came as no surprise.
“Hearing that both of them were trying to do something like that—that’s who they were,” he said. “You wish they were still here.”
Another neighbor, Claire Stevens, recalled the panic on the block as smoke engulfed the home.
“We were just afraid that our neighbors may be in there and not able to get out,” she told CBS News. “We came out to comfort others who were also very concerned.”
Relatives say PJ was an inventor and author, while Frantzia worked in the medical field—two careers rooted in problem-solving and care for others. The way they lived, loved ones say, was reflected in the way they died: stepping forward, not back.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC (1-877-847-7432).
