HOWELL — A Rahway police officer, his wife and their 10-month-old daughter escaped a fast-moving house fire that destroyed their home Saturday afternoon in Howell Township, authorities said. Now the local community has come together with a fundraiser that has already raised over $60K.
Sgt. Matthew Lawler of the Howell Township Police Department confirmed that officers responded around 1:53 p.m. on April 11 to a reported structure fire at a residence on Dutch Valley Road. Officers arriving at the scene observed heavy black smoke and flames coming from the rear of the home.
The Garden State News Network (GSNN) was the first on the scene reporting what happened on social media.
All occupants, including pets, had already evacuated and were not injured.
Multiple agencies assisted in battling the fire and supporting the response, including Southard Fire Department, Freewood Acres Fire Company, Squankum Fire Company, Ramtown Fire Company, Jackson Township Fire Department, Lakewood Fire Department and South Wall Fire Company. Also assisting were Howell police EMS, Howell First Aid, the Howell Township Fire Bureau, the Monmouth County Fire Marshal, New Jersey Natural Gas and the American Red Cross.
No injuries were reported among emergency personnel. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by local and county fire officials.
The blaze left the home destroyed, displacing the young family. Rahway PBA Local 31 said the officer, his nurse wife and their infant daughter lost all of their belongings and are now in need of temporary housing and basic necessities.
“This family has always been there to help others,” the union said in a statement. “Now they are facing an unimaginable loss and need our support more than ever.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family with housing and recovery expenses.
Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rahway-officer-nurse-baby-after-fire
