Firefighters were able to rescue a mother, her two children plus the family’s cat and dog from a house fire overnight at 646 Brookside Drive in Toms River, officials said.
Firefighters were called to the home at 1:47 a.m., officials said in a statement. All of Toms River’s fire companies responded, plus the Island Heights fire company.
Fire officials say working smoke alarms in the home allowed the family to evacuate safely. Toms River Fire Company No. 2 Lt. Robert Krohn and Firefighter Nick Cirz were also able to rescue the cat and dog from the residence, and both animals are doing well, the statement said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Toms River Township Fire Prevention Bureau and the Toms River Police Department.
“The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention reminds residents of the importance of having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home,” the statement said.