House Fire That Killed Person, Cat Under Investigation In Haddonfield: Officials

HADDONFIELD, NJ — Authorities have identified the victim of Monday morning's fatal house fire in Haddonfield.

The fire killed William J. Garthaus Jr., 73, officials said. His cat was also killed.

First responders rushed to the scene just before 7 a.m. on the 400 block of Walnut Street. Garthaus, the home's only resident, was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

The incident remains under investigation but doesn't appear suspicious, according to a joint statement from Haddonfield police and Haddon Fire Company No. 1.

Two Haddonfield police officers and two of the borough's EMS personnel were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.

Authorities were dispatched at 6:57 a.m. for a report of smoke emanating from the roof. Police and EMS personnel arrived 3 minutes later and began searching for any possible occupants.

They found Garthaus unconscious just inside the front door. Police and emergency personnel took him out of the home and began lifesaving measures, but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Haddon Fire Company and several other fire departments extinguished the blaze. They found the resident's dead cat during a secondary search of the home. No other people were found inside.

Authorities investigating the fire and death include Haddonfield police, the Haddonfield fire marshal, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, and the county and state fire marshal offices.

The Haddonfield Public Safety Team thanked the following agencies for responding: the Cherry Hill Fire Department, Lawnside Fire Company, Haddon Heights Fire Department, Westmont Fire Company No. 1, Audubon Fire Department, Somerdale Fire Department, Oaklyn Fire Department, Barrington EMS, Magnolia EMS, and Virtua Paramedics.