Smoke Detectors Save Howell Family In Overnight Fire

Officials are crediting smoke detectors with preventing injuries after a fire severely damaged an Arlyn Terrace home overnight Monday and displaced a Howell Township family, police said.

A hangup 911 call at about 2:40 a.m. brought Howell police to the home, Detective Sergeant Christian Antunez said, where heavy smoke was coming from the house.

Patrolman Eric Encarnacion was met by the homeowner, Gary Hoffman, who told him the family -- including his wife, Diane, mother-in-law Theresa Julewicz and the family’s dog -- had evacuated and were safe in the backyard, he said. They had were alerted in the middle of the night by smoke detectors sounding in the basement, followed by smoke coming from the basement. Gary Hoffman noticed the flames and smoke were coming from the area of the furnace and unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire, he told police.

The family was able to make temporary living arrangements with other family members as the home sustained significant damage.

As Encarnacion was preparing the scene for the fire department response, he saw the smoke had worsened significanly and flames were visible inside the master bedroom, Antunez said.

Ramtown Fire Company was assisted by the Squankum, Southard, Freewood Acres, South Wall, Adelphia and Herbertsville fire companies in extinguishing the fire, Antunez said. Howell Fire Bureau and OEM responded, and the Ramtown First Aid and Howell Township First Aid and Rescue Squad provided support as well.

The Howell Police Department would like to extend its gratitude to the responding fire companies and extend its sympathies to the Hoffmans, he said. “We wish them a speedy return to normalcy in their lives,” Antunez said.

(Photos via South Wall Fire Rescue Facebook page)