Matawan Woman Rescues 3 Boys, Dog From Burning Home: Police

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Matawan woman rescued three boys and their family's dog from a burning Toms River home on Friday afternoon after she saw the fire from the car dealership where she works, Toms River police said Saturday.

Suzanne G. Reynolds of Matawan, who works at Pine Belt Cadillac on Route 37 in Toms River, saw smoke coming from a home on nearby North Gateway Drive, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.

While police and firefighters were en route to the fire, reported at 3:26 p.m., Reynolds ran to the house to see if there was anyone inside, and found three boys, ages 12, 10 and 8, on the first floor of the house, Stocco said.

She told them the house was on fire and then got them and their family dog safely out of the house, ensuring "everyone exited without injury or being affected by smoke inhalation," he said.

The boys, who were expecting their mother to return home at any moment, had no idea the house was on fire, Stocco said.

Police, fire and EMS units responding found flames and smoke coming from the laundry room, Stocco said, and they were able to quickly confine the blaze to that area of the house, Stocco said.

"Despite not having any protective gear or breathing apparatus, Mrs. Reynolds selflessly and heroically entered the home," Stocco said. "The police department would like to specifically commend her."

There are no initial indications that the fire was intentionally started and investigators continue their efforts on Saturday to determine the cause, he said.

Photo provided by Toms River Police Department