Middletown Home Destroyed By Fire; Pets Perish In Blaze

LEONARDO, NJ — A single-family home in the Leonardo section of Middletown was destroyed by a fire Monday afternoon, Nov. 4, according to the all-volunteer Middletown fire department. The couple that lives there was unharmed, but their pets died in the blaze.

The fire broke out at a home on the 20-block of Franklin Avenue in Leonardo at 4:59 p.m. When Middletown third assistant fire chief John Waltz got there, he found fire coming out of all four sides of the home.

Although firefighters worked hard to extinguish the blaze, the home was destroyed by the fire and the family's pets were killed.

"Unfortunately, their home and pets were lost due to a horrible fire on November 4," wrote friends organizing this GoFundMe page for the couple who lived there. "Anything will help; everything is gone. They have always been great neighbors and pet lovers. Please share as much as you can."

The fire was so great that the interior floors and roof had been compromised and the structure was determined be unsafe for entry, said firefighters, and they had to fight the blaze from the outside of the home only.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Middletown Township Fire Marshall’s office.

Approximately 48 members from five companies of the Middletown Township Fire Department responded to the call from Navesink, Brevent, Belford Engine, Community and Port Monmouth fire companies. The MTFD Air Unit, Fire Police and the Safety Unit responded.

The fire was called under control by Middletown Township Fire Department Chief Steve Schweizer at 5:30 p.m. All units were cleared from the scene at 8:15 p.m.

No firefighters were injured.

EMS from Leonardo, Port Monmouth First Aid and Lincroft First Aid Squads provided firefighter rehabilitation and medical services to all firefighters. The Monmouth County Medical Ambulance Bus (MAB) also responded.