VIDEO/AUDIO: Howell Officer Rescues Woman, Son, Dog From Fire

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township woman suffered only smoke inhalation after a Howell police officer rescued her, her son and their dog from a fire at a Five Points Road home on Thursday, Howell police said.

Howell Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. said Patrolman Robert Hill, a 20-year veteran of the department, was on Route 33 about 2 miles away when dispatch reported the fire. Hill arrived in less than two minutes and saw the garage was in flames, and could hear bystanders yelling for the residents to get out, Kudrick said.

Hill backed his patrol vehicle out of the way so responding fire units get in and fight the fire, then ran into the home and escorted the 62-year-old homeowner, her 27-year-old son, and their dog safely outside, and put them inside his patrol vehicle to keep warm, Kudrick said.

The woman was treated by Howell Police EMS at the scene for smoke inhalation but refused further medical assistance, Kudrick said. There were no other injuries reported.

The Adelphia Fire Company responded and contained the fire to the garage, Kudrick said. Their quick response and fire suppression saved the residence, he said, but two vehicles were destroyed.

The house was deemed safe to live in for the time being, Kudrick said.

The fire is being investigated by the Howell Fire Bureau. The resident reported he had jumpstarted the vehicle due to a dead battery and was letting the vehicle run. It subsequently caught fire, and the fire then spread to the side garage.

Howell Police and the Fire Bureau remind residents about the potential dangers of allowing a vehicle to warm up unattended close to a home or other structures.

"GREAT JOB BY PATROLMAN HILL, ADELPHIA FIRE AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS!" Kudrick said on Facebook.

Kudrick posted the dashboard video from Hill's patrol car showing the officer's response.

Photos courtesy of Howell Township Police 911 Communications Facebook page