Neighbor Rescues Dog From House Fire In Somerset County

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Good Samaritan jumped into action to save a dog from a house fire on Saturday night in Franklin Township, said Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks.

"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 Fredericks.

On Saturday, at around 8:20 p.m., the Franklin Township Police Department got a report of a garage fire in the 100 block of Willow Avenue.

Fire crews brought the fire under control within 45 minutes and extinguished the blaze.

However, the house was deemed uninhabitable, said Fredericks.

A local resident who was passing by the house helped rescue the dog from the fire.

"While helping to rescue the dog, the good Samaritan suffered a minor bite wound to a finger," said Fredericks.

The dog was safely removed from the home. One cat was found dead, and another is unaccounted for, said Fredericks.

Responding agencies included: Somerset Fire and Rescue, Middlebush Fire Department, Elizabeth Ave Fire Company, Millstone Valley Fire Department, East Franklin Fire Department, Finderne Fire Department, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital EMS.

The Franklin Township Fire Prevention Department is currently investigating the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Director of Fire Prevention, John Hauss, at 732-873-2500 extension 6305.

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