Firefighters Save a Dog, 4 Cats and a Bird from Monmouth Junction Fire

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ - A two-alarm fire heavily damaged a Monmouth Junction home Sunday, but volunteer firefighters and the family were able to save all the pets inside, including several cats, a dog and a bird.

At 4:15 p.m. Sunday, the husband and wife reported smelling smoke in their living room. They observed thick smoke coming from the area of the chimney and called 911. The Monmouth Junction volunteer Fire Department arrived and found the fire had spread up the chimney, into the attic and roof of the residence.

Family members were able to get the pet dog out, but reported four cats and a bird were still in the home. Firefighters entered the smoke-filled home and successfully got all the animals out, police said. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 30 minutes and remained on location until approximately 6:30 p.m. checking for hot spots. The home is uninhabitable and the residents will be staying with family members.

Firefighters from Monmouth Junction, Kingston, Kendall Park, Plainsboro, North Brunswick, Cranbury and Jamesburg responded to the scene. Firefighters from the Franklin Park and Community Fire Companies covered South Brunswick during the fire. The South Brunswick Police, South Brunswick EMS, Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad and Kendall Park EMS responded. There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. The fire does not appear suspicious and remains under investigation by the South Brunswick Township Fire Safety Bureau.

Photo of the Monmouth Junction home supplied by the South Brunswick Police