Jackson Firefighter Helps Howell Family, Dog Escape House Fire

HOWELL, NJ — A Jackson firefighter who was visiting in the area helped a Howell family escape the blaze that destroyed their home on Monday, Howell police said Wednesday.

Howell Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said the residents of the home on West 5th Street — a 73-year-old man, his 55-year-old wife, their 31-year-old son and their dog — called 911 after an electric heater caught fire in their home.

The Jackson firefighter — whose name was not immediately available — was in the area visiting family and heard the fire broadcast over the radio and went to the home to help, Antunez said.

The residents told authorities they smelled something burning and noticed their electric heater was on fire, and by the time police arrived, they could see flames coming out of the front windows of the house, Antunez said.

The 73-year-old man and his wife were taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood for treatment of smoke inhalation, Antunez said. The house sustained extensive damage and is uninhabitable, he said.

A GoFundme campaign created to help the family said one of the residents is on dialysis and all the medical equipment and medications related to that were among the items lost in the blaze.

"They lost everything," wrote Jamie Mamuzich of Howell, a friend of the family, who started the campaign, "food, clothes, money, medical and debit cards, meds, EVERYTHING!" Those interested in donating to the campaign can click here.

Firefighters from the Freewood Acres, Southard and Adelphia fire companies responded, along with the Howell Office of Emergency Mamagement and the Howell Fire Bureau. The fire bureau is investigating.

Photo by Howell Township Police Department