Dog Saves, Wakes 5 Sleeping Residents From Berkeley Heights Fire

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ — Five sleeping Berkeley Heights residents have a dog to thank after it saved them from a house fire early Thursday morning.

It was around midnight when the dog began barking waking up the five people sleeping inside, who found their Putnam Avenue home on fire. They were all able to escape with no injuries, according Berkeley Heights Deputy Chief Jim Hopkins.

A 911 call reporting the fire came in at 12:18 a.m. Firefighters arrived within 10 minutes to find a heavy, fully-involved fire on the back porch of the home, according to Berkeley Heights Deputy Chief Jim Hopkins.

The fire had also already extended into the first floor of the home. Berkeley Heights, New Providence, Summit, Chatham and Stirling fire departments all responded and were able to bring the fire under control by 1:05 a.m.

The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical in the back porch of the house, Hopkins said.

The house is condemned and deemed not inhabitable.

Hopkins noted that there were no working fire alarms in the home and that the dog saved their lives.

Mountainside, Plainfield and Fanwood also responded to offer township assistance.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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