By: Jeff Sommes
Authorities are investigating a residential fire that left a home uninhabitable Saturday evening in Franklin Township.
According to a statement released by the Franklin Township Department of Public Safety, police, firefighters, and EMS personnel responded to a reported garage fire in the 100 block of Willow Avenue.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze, but the home sustained significant damage and was deemed uninhabitable.
A passing motorist stopped to assist during the emergency and helped rescue a dog from the residence.
While removing the animal, the Good Samaritan suffered a minor bite injury to a finger. The dog survived the fire and was safely removed from the home.
Officials said one cat was found deceased inside the residence, while a second cat remains unaccounted for.
Responding agencies included Somerset Fire and Rescue, Middlebush Fire Department, Elizabeth Avenue Fire Company, Millstone Valley Fire Department, East Franklin Fire Department, Finderne Fire Department, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital EMS.
“I want to commend the quick actions of the Good Samaritan, our police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel who stepped in to help during this emergency,” Public Safety Director Lloyd Fredericks said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.