Smoky Fire Claims 4 Dogs, Destroys Brick Family's Home

BRICK, NJ — Friends are raising funds and collecting items for a family who lost their home and several pets including their four dogs in a smoky electrical fire on Tuesday.

The Hult family was forced from their Green Grove Road home following the fire, which started in the living room, said Kevin Batzel, chief of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety. Batzel said the fire was ruled accidental. Because it was electrical, it did limited structural damage but produced thick, dense smoke that filled the home. It was ruled uninhabitable by a building inspector with the Brick Township Building Department.

There were no working smoke detectors in the home, he said.

Batzel said when firefighters arrived at the home shortly after it was reported at 12:21 p.m., they found one resident outside. The resident had come out the front door and tried to go in the side door to get to the pets, but was forced back by the heavy smoke.

Firefighters went in and removed four dogs who were in crates, and though police and EMS tried to revive the dogs with oxygen masks designed for pets, the dogs died from the heavy smoke inhalation, Batzel said.

Firefighters also removed "numerous terrariums" with snakes and other small animals, Batzel said. Several of the remaining animals, which were on the upper level of the house, survived, he said.

Batzel said all four Brick fire companies — Laurelton, Pioneer Hose, Breton Woods and Herbertsville — responded to the blaze.

There were no injuries to humans reported, Batzel said.

"They were just able to make it out alive with the clothes on their backs," said Dana Oakes, a family friend who set up a GoFundme campaign to help them.

"We are happy to collect any donations of any kind, gift cards, clothing, toiletries, coats, towels, anything I mean anything is appreciated," Oakes said. "If you can, please pray for this family. They are such loving people."

The GoFundme had raised nearly $12,000 out of a goal of $30,000 as of Friday.