Funeral services held for 5 children killed in NJ house fire

UNION CITY, N.J. (AP) - Funeral services are being held for five children who were killed in a raging New Jersey house fire earlier this month.

A public visitation that began at noon on Tuesday will continue through 9 a.m. Wednesday. It will be followed by a public Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Union City.

The children - 2-year-old Jason Gonzalez, 4-year-old Shamira Lopez, 5-year-old Mayli Wood, 7-year-old Christian Josue Mendez and 13-year-old Jose Felipe Tejada - died from injuries suffered in the July 13 fire. Officials have said four of the children were siblings, while the fifth was a relative.

A man and a woman were injured in the fire and are recovering.

The cause remains under investigation.

Union City is covering the cost of the funerals.

The Office of Mayor Brian Stack will be collecting donations in check or money order form for the victims. They can be made payable to the Union City Fire Victims Fund and sent to the Office of Mayor Brian Stack at 3715 Palisade Ave. 3rd Floor in Union City, New Jersey 07087.

A GoFundMe has also been set up in support of Union City fire victims.