Pets perish
in house fire
By carolyn o’connell
Staff Writer

CAROLYN O’CONNELL A home on Sagamore Avenue, Oceanport, was destroyed Sunday by a fire which is believed to have been caused by an extension cord.

OCEANPORT — An overburdened extension cord is suspected as the cause of a fire that killed six family pets and left two borough residents without a home.

The borough’s fire department was called to the home of Donna Shaw and her daughter Allyson, 47 Sagamore Ave., to fight the blaze which reportedly began around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.

"When the volunteer firefighters arrived, the fire was coming out of the front windows and smoke (was coming out) from the rest of the home," said Fire Chief Rick Gallo.

According to Police Chief Clifford K. Bebout, the residents were able to escape without injury.

When firemen entered through the rear of the unburned side of the home, they were not able to find the Shaws’ pets, four dogs and two cats, according to Gallo.

After the blaze was extinguished, "animals were found in various locations in the house," said Tim Smith, Monmouth County fire marshal.

According to Smith, the Shaws were alerted by their smoke alarm and tried to put out the fire by themselves, but it quickly grew out of hand.

"The fire, which took 45 minutes to bring under control, destroyed the home, collapsing the upper floor," Smith said.

According to Gallo, none of the neighboring homes were endangered by the blaze.

"The Shaws are believed to be staying with a resident of the borough," said Bebout. He added that the Red Cross was notified to assist them.

The fire department was assisted by units from Fort Monmouth and Eatontown. The Oceanport First Aid Squad also responded.