Couple Airlifted, Puppy Dies In Keansburg Fire On Mother's Day

KEANSBURG, NJ — A couple had to be airlifted to St. Barnabas burn unit after a fire broke out in their home in Keansburg early Sunday morning, according to a report on the Asbury Park Press. The fire broke out before 5 a.m. at a home on 425 Main Street. Their two children managed to get safely out of the home, but their 4-month-old puppy perished in the blaze.

The 911 call of the fire came in at 4:38 a.m. When Keansburg police officers got to the scene, the man, Joseph Besner, 39, and the woman, Kimberly Deliman, 40, were still inside the house. The couple's children, a 9-year old boy and a 15-year-old girl, were in front of the home, and they told officers their parents were still in the burning house. A third, older child arrived at the home later after the fire started.

Patrolmen Frank Wood, Brian Von Bargen and John Murray tried to go inside, but the flames were too heavy. When they got there, Besner was trying to drag his wife's body out of the home, but he was unable to. He walked out of the burning home on his own, but Deliman had been overcome by the smoke and had to be carried out by the police officers. The couple was medevac'd from the Keansburg High School football field.

"This morning, May 14, 2017 at around 5am, my family lost everything, and our 4 month old puppy, in a house fire," wrote Deanna Green, Deliman's daughter, on the fundraising site YouCaring. "My 15 year old sister's room was completely engulfed in flames and all of her clothes, belongings and prom dress were lost in the fire. My mother and stepfather were medevac'd to a Burn Unit ICU in a critical but stable condition. We are waiting for help from the Red Cross to get us a new place to live, but as of right now, 2 kids and a dog are homeless but staying with family. Both my sister Jasmine, 15, and Joseph, 8, are in need of clothes. Every little bit will help, thank you for caring and please help our family get back on our feet."

The blaze caused serious damage to the home's second floor and attic; it took an hour to bring it under control.

The couple had to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation, according to the report. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Keansburg Police Department, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal's Office.