Sussex woman dies in fire

By Nathan Mayberg
SUSSEX — A Sussex woman who was trapped inside her apartment during a fire early Saturday morning, died from unspecified injuries.

Joann Costello, 52, of Sussex Borough was declared dead at Newton Medical Center after firefighters rescued her from her apartment.

Sussex Fire Department Chief Jake Little said the department responded to the fire on Munson Street after getting a call at about 4:!9 a.m.

He described the scene as a "working fire" that was centered in the apartment of Costello. Three occupants of another apartment in the home escaped safely and told firefighters that Costello was still inside her apartment, Little said.

"We tried everything we could to rescue the victim," Little said.

Firefighters eventually knocked down her door to bring Costello to an ambulance though her injuries were apparently too severe to save her.

State police are investigating the cause of the fire.

The fire is currently believed to be accidental and not suspicious, according to state police.

The fire is also being investigated by the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office and Sussex County Fire Marshal's Office.

Little said firefighters utilized multiple tankers from several departments to fight the fire. Hydrants were also used.

Assisting the Sussex Fire Department at the scene were the Frankford, Hardyston, Pochuck Valley, Unionville and Wantage fire departments. Sussex and Wantage EMS crews also were on the scene. Several other departments were on standby.

Little said that apartment suffered water and heat damage.

He believes the home is salvageable.

Little said firefighters "did a great job of containing the fire to the one apartment."

Sussex Borough Mayor Jonathan Rose said he has spoken to Costello's family and said they are "devastated."

Costello was believed to have been living alone at the time.

It wasn't immediately clear how the displaced residents of the other apartment were handling the situation.