Kittens Given Oxygen Boost During Long Valley Christmas Fire

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The team of fire companies in Long Valley tamped down a Christmas Day house fire, with the first aid squad treating the family's pets and fellow first responders.

Lt. Mark Niemynski, a spokesperson for Washington Township Police Department, told Patch on Monday the fire remains under investigation, with it called in as having started outside of the house, the homeowners not there at the time it began.

First responders were dispatched at 12:45 p.m. to the scene of the residential structure fire, all fire companies and the first aid squad receiving the page.

Washington Township 38 Fire All Call Page Received at 12:46. https://t.co/jRcWfJ8cWN
— MorrisAlert (@MorrisAlert) December 25, 2021

Washington Township Police Department, Long Valley First Aid Squad, Long Valley Fire Company No. 1, Fairmount Fire Company No. 1 and Schooley’s Mountain Fire Co. 3, all headed to the scene.

Mayor Matt Murello commended all of the first responders on social media, many volunteers, reminding followers that “while most of us were relaxing at home after opening our gifts, with our families, Washington Township’s first responders were responding to a fire in town.”

“There were no major injuries and they even saved some of the family’s pets,” he added.

“On events like this, especially at this time of year, we can’t forget to thank all our first responders for what they do to keep us safe in town,” he wrote. “Thank you Washington Township Police Department, Long Valley First Aid Squad, Long Valley Fire Company No.1, Long Valley NJ, Fairmount Fire Company No.1, Long Valley, NJ, Schooley's Mountain Fire Co.3.”

Schooley’s Mountain Fire Co. 3 reported that at 12:45 p.m. they were dispatched to the structure fire, with Long Valley Fire Company No. 1’s Chief 1 having “arrived first and knocked down the bulk of the fire, which was on the exterior of the structure.”

They reported that the fire was confined there with "no interior damage."

Long Valley Fire Company wrote that after it was called in as a brush fire, their chief confirmed it had spread to the house, the fire then knocked out quickly, mostly with extinguishers.

“Happy to report there is minimal damage to the structure and all occupants are safe,” Long Valley Fire Company reported.

“Crews from all three companies continued to perform overhaul for the remainder of the incident,” Schooley’s Mountain Fire Company wrote.

Long Valley First Aid Squad was on the scene to help treat firefighters and a couple of the family’s pets with oxygen.

“EMS crews provided rehab to two kittens at the scene,” Long Valley First Aid Squad wrote on their Facebook Page.

Niemynski reported to Patch that police entered into the house to take out the pets, including dogs, that were inside.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a local news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.