Aubree Larusso, 18, Dies In Tragic Middletown Fire

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — An 18-year-old from Middletown and her dog were tragically killed in a house fire early Tuesday morning, the Monmouth County Prosecutor said. While her entire family got out of the burning house, it appears the young woman was unable to escape her bedroom, as her doorway became blocked by flames.

Aubree Larusso, 18, of Middletown, had just graduated from Middletown North High School this past spring. Her mother, brother and a family friend, all of whom were in the home, escaped the blaze unharmed, according to County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

Rumors that the young woman ran back into the home to get the family dog are false, said a spokesman for the county prosecutor. Instead, she simply was not able to get out in time.

"Her bedroom was off of the living room area and the fire originated in or near the living room. The fire blocked her access to leave the home," said Chris Swendeman, a spokesman for the county prosecutor.

The fire occurred at a home on Neptune Place in North Middletown, and the call first came in at 6:52 a.m. today, according to a spokesman for the all-volunteer Middletown fire department.

It was a neighbor on Neptune Place who first called 911 about the fire. The neighbor also said a person may be trapped inside the burning home.

When units got there, under the command of Deputy Chief Steve Schweizer, the home was fully engulfed, with flames coming out all four sides of the structure. It was impossible for firefighters to even attempt to enter the home and do a search without first putting out the heavy volume of fire, fire dept. spokesman Dennis Fowler said.

After the flames were extinguished, the young woman and the dog were both found deceased in her bedroom located just off the living room.

Because there was a fatality, the office of Monmouth County Prosecutor is now assisting in the investigation, but Middletown police and fire remain the lead agencies on the case.

Aubree, all of 18, is pictured with her family above, taken from their GoFundMe page set up to help pay for funeral expenses. She is remembered by classmates at Middletown North as young woman who loved photography and music. One classmate, Sara Deuidicibus, even wrote a poem about Aubree's death, which will be published on Patch tomorrow.

"My beautiful cousin Aubree along with their family dog lost their lives due to a devastating house fire," her cousin, Hazlet resident Casey Kwiatkowski, said on the page. "Anything to help the family that made it out would help tremendously."

The fire was called under control by Chief at 7:22 a.m. All units were cleared from the scene at 10:25 a.m. The one-story home sustained heavy fire damage.

Approximately 52 members from six companies of the Middletown Township Fire Department responded to the call from Brevent Park, Belford Engine, Community, East Keansburg, Port Monmouth, Belford Independent Fire Companies. The MTFD Air Unit, Fire Police as well as the Safety Unit responded.

Middletown EMS provided firefighter rehabilitation and medical services. The cause of the fire is accidental.

Unless otherwise noted, photos provided by Middletown Township Fire Department PIO photographer Laurie Kegley. GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.