Family Dog Rescued In Middletown House Fire

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The family dog was alone inside the home and had to be rescued by volunteer firefighters in the house fire that broke out Thursday afternoon on Schelly Drive in the Port Monmouth section.

The first call of the fire came in at 2:42p.m. Thursday, of smoke coming from the house, according to the Middletown Fire Dept.

Nobody was home when the fire started. When the first arriving police and firefighters got there, they were told the family's dog was possibly trapped inside the home. Fire Marshal Edward Skelly and an unnamed Middletown police officer ran inside the burning home and pulled the dog to safety.

The home was nearly consumed by a heavy fire, which extended into the second floor and attic. The home sustained heavy fire damage inside and out, and there was a partial roof collapse. The fire was so intense that two adjacent homes next door sustained heat damage and a mulch fire resulted in vinyl siding damage.

The fire was placed under control by MTFD Third Assistant Chief Kevin Morrissey at 3:45 p.m.

Approximately 69 firefighters from eight companies of the Middletown Township Fire Department responded to the call from Navesink, Belford Engine, Community, East Keansburg, Port Monmouth, Belford Independent, Middletown Fire Company #1, and River Plaza companies. The fire was so intense that mutual aid had to be called in from Hazlet, Keansburg, West Keansburg and Holmdel

Ten members of Middletown’s Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) and Middletown First Aid provided medical support. No firefighter injuries were reported.

Initial Patch report: House Fire On Schelly Drive In Middletown Thursday (May 25)