Neighbors Come To Aid Of NJ Family Who Lost Dogs In House Fire

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — A Mount Laurel family has sprung into action to help their friends who lost their home and two dogs in a fire Tuesday night.

Colleen McGinn and Chris Sutton lost two of their dogs, and a third was hospitalized after a fire broke out at their home Tuesday night, according to a social media post from her neighbor. The third dog has since returned home.

“My neighbor, my friend, and a great person lost her home today along with some pets due to a house fire,” Betsy Turgeon wrote in a GoFundMe post. “She, her husband and 5 kids live in this house along with 3 dogs. They have lost everything, please help them return back to somewhat of normal life after losing their home of 8 years.”

Donations for the vet bill to help their third dog can be made directly to Mount Laurel Animal Hospital. The donation can be made to “Tinker.” MatchDog Rescue is also collecting donations for Tinker, and a Meal Train has been set up for the family.

“Luckily, Tinkerbell was able to return to her family today, but the vet fees are over $3,000 and her family has no items to care for her as they were all destroyed in the fire,” the MatchDog Rescue post reads. “On the family's behalf, MatchDog Rescue is collecting funds for Tinkerbell's vet bill as well as Abby's cremation bill. MatchDog Rescue is also collecting items for Tinkerbell that the family has requested. Any donation is appreciated.”

The couple also has three high school aged girls and a 19-year-old son, according to Turgeon’s post. Donations can be dropped off at 160 Schoolhouse Lane, Countryside.

No people were injured in the fire, according to the Mount Laurel Fire Department. The homeowners, who were home at the time, were alerted of the fire by a nearby fisherman, who told them they saw smoke coming from the house.

Two units sustained smoke and fire damage, and one firefighter was medically evaluated, the fire department said. The cause remains under investigation.

The family told 6 ABC they are “beyond grateful” to the community.

"I would never think in a million years that something like this would happen,” Sutton told the news station. “The community has rallied around to help us."