2 Cats Die In Middlesex Boro House Fire That Started In Van

MIDDLESEX BOROUGH, NJ — Two pet cats died in a house fire Monday night in Middlesex borough, according to police in that town.

The fire started at 2:36 a.m. Tuesday in a home on Myers Place. The fire started in a 1996 Chevrolet van, and spread to the home, according to Middlesex borough Police Chief Matthew Geist in this Facebook post.

When Middlesex Police Officer Anthony Painchaud got there, he was told by a man that his wife was still inside the home.

Painchaud entered the burning home to look for her, but was then told she already escaped through the rear of the home.

The fire rose to second-alarm status and while no residents or firefighters were injured, the homeowners' two pets perished in the flames and smoke.

"The family lost their home of 30+ years to an unfortunate fire in the middle of the night on Tuesday, August 15," wrote friends in this GoFundMe page for the fire victims. "They were able to escape with no time to spare. They lost EVERYTHING, including their two pets who perished in the fire."

"Preliminary evidence indicates that the fire started in a vehicle (the 1996 Chevrolet van) on the property, which spread to the residential structure," said Middlesex borough Police.

The incident is under investigation by the Middlesex County Bureau of the Fire Marshal. Please contact Lt. Thomas Falk at (732) 356-1900, extension 340 if you have any more information.

"Officer Painchaud's efforts to locate the resident believed to have been trapped in the house exemplify the dedication of our officers to the highest traditions of service and sacrifice," said Chief Geist. "Our professional partnerships with the Middlesex Fire Department and firefighters from our surrounding communities are second to none. We are grateful for their service to the residents of Middlesex and the work they did in the early morning hours to extinguish the blaze."