10 Cats Killed, 2 Firefighters Injured in Hopatcong House Fire, Cops Say

An elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease who owns about 40 cats was rescued from her home by a family member before a blaze took over the structure, killing at least 10 of the pets, Hopatcong Police Lt. Thomas Kmetz said.

Police and firefighters responded to a home on Akron Way at 9:14 on Sunday night for a report of a structure fire, Kmetz said. Heavy smoke was pouring out of the home, and an elderly female was being restrained outside by her son-in-law, David Struble, Kmetz said.

The woman, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, according to Struble, was trying to regain entry to the burning home to rescue her cats, Kmetz said.

Approximately 40 cats were living in the residence at the time of the fire, and about 10 to 15 succumbed to the blaze, Kmetz said. Another six to 12 ran from the house when the firemen entered the structure, and 22 were saved and taken out of the house by the firefighters, Kmetz said.

As a result of the battle, two firefighters were injured; one twisted his knee and the other was scratched by several cats while removing them, Kmetz said.

Struble told police he was in his room when he heard the smoke alarm go off and saw smoke coming from the elderly female’s room, Kmetz said. Upon entering the room, Struble found a fire coming from the trash can next to the bed, Kmetz said.

Struble told police he believed the elderly woman, a smoker, threw a lit cigarette into the trash can, causing the fire, Kmetz said.

There are now 20 domestic short hair and long hair cats in the Hopatcong pound who need to be adopted. The felines will be spayed and neutered before adoption. Anyone willing to adopt the cats can call the Hopatcong Animal Pound at 973-479-3659.

Photo Courtesy Hopatcong Police Department.