Tragic Thanksgiving Fire Claims Two Sisters Who Died Saving Their Disabled Father

A Thanksgiving celebration in Orange, New Jersey, ended in heartbreak when two sisters were killed while rescuing their disabled father from a fast-moving house fire.

Frantzia Fleury, 49, and her sister, Pojanee “PJ” Fleury, 42, were hailed as heroes by neighbors and local officials after they refused to leave their father behind as flames consumed their home on Mosswood Avenue just after 5 p.m. Thursday, authorities confirmed.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the sisters managed to guide their father toward safety before being overcome by smoke and flames. Their father and six other family members escaped without serious injuries, but the two women were pronounced dead at the scene around 6:45 p.m.

Witnesses described the blaze as sudden and fierce.
“I came outside and saw the whole house in flames,” one neighbor told WPIX. “That’s heartbreaking—especially on Thanksgiving. That’s really hard.”

The fire tore through the two-story home so quickly that firefighters arriving on the scene struggled to reach the upper floors where the sisters were last seen. By the time the flames were contained, little remained of the family’s home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Both sisters were well known in their community for their dedication and achievements.

Pojanee Fleury, a writer, publisher, and inventor, ran her own company and penned the memoir Who’s Going to Invent That, You?, chronicling her journey as a first-generation African immigrant and innovator.

“PJ was a great, selfless community leader,” the African Immigrants’ Commission of New York and Connecticut wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. “She will be missed dearly.”

Her older sister, Frantzia, worked as a radiologic technologist at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey. Friends described her as devoted to her family—especially her father.

In a Facebook post shared nine years ago, just after Thanksgiving 2016, Frantzia posted a smiling photo with her arm wrapped around her dad, captioned simply: “#DaddysGirl.”

By Friday morning, the charred remains of the home at 660 Mosswood Avenue stood as a grim reminder of the tragedy. Neighbors brought flowers and candles, leaving notes of love and sympathy for the family.

“They were the kindest people,” resident Matthew Mehr told WABC. “Always friendly. Always taking care of their place. It’s devastating.”

Officials say grief counselors are being made available to friends and relatives as the investigation continues.

The Fleury family has not released an official statement but is said to be surrounded by loved ones as they prepare to lay the two sisters to rest.

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Source: WABC, WPIX, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office