Wayne Man Killed In Fire Identified; Friends Mourn His Loss

WAYNE, NJ — Friends of a township man killed in a house fire Sunday mourned him online Monday.

Dennis Bennett lived in the house with his wife, Theresa Davis, and their two dogs. He was killed, police confirmed, after he ran back into his Riverlawn Drive home after his wife and two dogs escaped the blaze. His body was found in the back of the basement.

Bennett's friends posted memorial condolences online Monday.

Chris Kleckner said in a post to Facebook group I'm From Wayne that Bennett "was a great guy."

Davis was a former leader for veterans and disabled services in Morris County for years, The Daily Record reported.

Morris County Administrator John Bonanni spoke highly of Bennett.

"Dennis was one of those guys who could talk intelligently about any subject," Bonanni said in the report. "He had a welcoming demeanor and loved to laugh."

Dozens of firefighters converged on the multi-alarm blaze that swept through the wood-frame house at about 8 a.m. Sunday.

RELATED: Husband Dies Trying To Fight Wayne Fire Sunday

The Riverlawn Drive house was already "fully engulfed" in flames when police arrived there a short time after the fire was reported, said Detective Capt. Laurence Martin.

Bennett ran back into the house, reportedly to try and extinguish the fire, after he, Davis and their two dogs escaped, authorities said. One of their dogs followed Bennett back into the house. The dog's body was found on the second floor.

The state Medical Examiner's Office is conducting an autopsy and toxicology test to determine Bennett's exact cause of death.

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Photo: Dennis Bennett — Courtesy of Kevin Behan‎