Funeral Fund Set Up For North Plainfield Woman Who Died In Fire

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — A fundraiser has been set up for a North Plainfield woman with a "beautiful soul," who tragically died in a house fire early Thursday morning.

"Estefani was the most funny, loving person anyone can ever meet. She would win the heart of anyone with her laugh and her jokes. She was a wonderful human being and would help anyone she could," said Estefani Brizuela-Garcia's sister Heriberto on GoFundMe.

The Brizuela family was sound asleep when the fire broke out at about 2:48 a.m. on May 16 at the single-family home on Grove Street in North Plainfield.

"We have lost all of our belongings, and as unreal as it sounds [Estefani] did not make it out and we have lost a beautiful soul," Heriberto said. "My family and I are asking for anyone that knew her to please help us raise money for her funeral. Anything would help."

Heriberto Brizuela set up a fundraiser through GoFundMe with a goal to raise $20,000. To make a donation click here.

• See Related: 1 Dead, 1 Hospitalized, 7 Escape Fatal Fire In North Plainfield

Estefanie Brizuela-Garcia, 22, was found inside the home and later pronounced dead, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.

A 23-year-old man who was in the home was also transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset for smoke inhalation and non-life threatening burns to his back.

Seven other residents, ranging in age from three to 42, were able to evacuate, Robertson said.

Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and the Fire Investigation Unit with the North Plainfield Police Department are conducting an investigation into the cause and origin of the fire.

Investigators from the Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office also responded to the scene and a post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death, Robertson said.

This remains an active investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office at 908-231-7100, or the North Plainfield Police Department at 908-769-2937 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE". All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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