FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — A garage fire Saturday evening left a Franklin Township home uninhabitable, displaced its residents and resulted in the death of one family pet, authorities said.
Police, firefighters and EMS personnel responded to a reported garage fire in the 100 block of Willow Avenue at approximately 8:21 p.m. June 13, according to the Franklin Township Police Department.
Fire crews were able to extinguish the blaze, but the home sustained significant damage and was deemed uninhabitable.
Authorities said a passing resident stopped to help and assisted in rescuing a dog from the residence. While helping remove the animal, the good Samaritan suffered a minor bite wound to a finger.
The dog was safely removed from the home. One cat was found deceased inside the residence, while another cat remained unaccounted for as of Sunday.
Responding agencies included Somerset Fire and Rescue, the Middlebush Fire Department, Elizabeth Avenue Fire Company, Millstone Valley Fire Department, East Franklin Fire Department, Finderne Fire Department and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital EMS.
“I want to commend the quick actions of the good Samaritan, our police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel who stepped in to help during this emergency,” said Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks.
The Franklin Township Fire Prevention Department is investigating the cause of the fire. No additional injuries were reported.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Fire Prevention Director John Hauss at 732-873-2500, extension 6305.
