Three Cats Die in Keyport Fire, 42 People Injured

Keyport, NJ - A Go Fund Me page set up to help the victims of the devastating five-alarm fire that tore through tiny Keyport Friday afternoon has exceeded the creator's goal of $10,000, as more than $16,500 has been raised for the victims.

Four families in total were displaced by the West Front Street fire, and one of the victims was Dr. Jennifer DeMeo, a popular and well-known veterinarian in the area, who works out of Atlantic Highlands Animal Hospital. Her apartment was one of the units that burned, and tragically, three of the veterinarian's cats perished in the fire.

However, that Go Fund Me page has been set up to help all the affected families, not just Dr. DeMeo, an employee at the Atlantic Highlands Animal Hospital told Patch Tuesday.

In total, 42 people, including eight firefighters, were injured in the fast-moving blaze that tore through an entire block of buildings on Friday. The fire first broke out at 3:34 p.m. One of the buildings partially collapsed and firefighters inside had to be evaluated for possible concussions at Bayshore.

Three businesses were also destroyed in the fire: a medical office, a home health care company and an accountant's firm, Keyport Borough administrator Stephen Gallo told the Asbury Park Press. The fire in total destroyed buildings assessed at more than $600,000. The cause of the fire has not been released yet by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Keyport Borough Hall will be accepting gift cards for the fire victims on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. Drop off any gifts cards between 6 and 8 p.m. at borough hall. Gift cards are better than donated items, officials say, because that way fire victims can purchase exactly what they need and unwanted items will not go to waste. The Keyport Library will be accepting gift cards on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m.