Local Artist And His Dog Die Of Injuries Sustained In Downtown Jersey City Fire

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Friends and family are mourning Scot Rienecker, a 50-year-old artist and actor in downtown Jersey City, who died Monday of injuries sustained in a fire.

His dog succumbed as well, the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said.

The office said the fire did not appear to be suspicious, but they are still investigating.

Friends posted fondly on social media that Rienecker, known by the nickname "Goat," was "one of a kind."

He even voiced a cartoon character called "Goat," based on him, in a Cartoon Network series.

"If you didn't know Scot Rienecker aka Goat — he was the type of guy who got their own cartoon character," wrote a friend.

The character appeared in 12 episodes of Megas XLR, about two teenagers from New Jersey. It starred David DeLuise.

A relative wrote, "It’s with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to our brother, uncle, son, cousin and friend. Scot Rienecker has passed away due to his injuries due to his house fire where he loved living with his dog Tiberius."

"Not the Goat, this is heartbreaking," wrote a friend.

"He meant a great deal to a great many of us," wrote another.

The Prosecutor's Office said that at approximately 12:11 p.m. Sunday, the Jersey City Fire Department was notified of smoke at 309 10th St. The address is in the Hamilton Park neighborhood.

Firefighters made entry into the single-family residence and located an unresponsive man.

Rienecker was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and later transferred to the Burn Unit at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

He died on Monday, Feb. 20, at 8:28 p.m.

A preliminary investigation by the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force determined the fire doesn't appear suspicious, but the cause remains under investigation.

The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force is investigating the case with assistance from the Jersey City Fire Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345 or to leave a tip at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential.