House Fire on Union Avenue in Hazlet

Police, firefighters and first aid responded to a house fire at 1698 Union Avenue, near the Middle Road intersection in Hazlet on Friday night.

One of the occupants of the house was home at the time of the fire, but she fled to a neighbor's house, where 911 was called, said township Fire Inspector Tom Horner.

Six cats were in the house at the time of the fire, and as of 10:30 p.m Friday night five of them were accounted for, said Horner. One cat received oxygen and was taken to an animal hospital, he said. 

The fire was contained to one bedroom, but water and smoke damage has made the house uninhabitable. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

According to county property records, 1698 Union Avenue is owned by William and Sharon Dolly. 

The fire was reported to emergency responders at 8:51 p.m. and extinguished around 9:30 p.m., said Horner. 

Volunteer firefighters from Hazlet's West Keansburg, North Centerville and Company #1 responded. Matawan and Union Beach companies sent Rapid Intervention Teams to support the Hazlet firefighters. Hazlet First Aid was also on the scene. 

Union Avenue was re-opened to traffic at 11:00 p.m.

It is the second fire in Hazlet Township in just two days. Early Thursday morning, a house on West Richard Street and Hazlet Avenue caught fire and was destroyed. The occupant was treated for smoke inhalation.