3 cats killed in intense three-alarm Fair Lawn, NJ house fire

🔥 House devastated by sudden afternoon fire

🔥 Nearly 50 firefighters responded

🔥 GoFundMe raising funds for family

FAIR LAWN — Three pet cats were killed by a rapidly spreading house fire on Saturday.

Fair Lawn firefighters were called to the home on 5th Street near Morlot Avenue around 2:30 p.m., according to fire department spokesman Douglas Sadowski.

Assistant Chief Ralph Rinaldo said the front of the house was already intensely burning when firefighters arrived.

"The members did a great job knocking the fire down using deck guns before entering the building," said Rinaldo.

The blaze grew into a three-alarm fire and firefighters from Saddle Brook and Elmwood Park were called in to help.

Around 45 firefighters in total worked together to battle the flames. The fire, which severely damaged the home, was put out in around an hour.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. However, the residents' cats were unable to get out.

"We mounted a very aggressive attack but unfortunately due to the fast moving fire we were unable to save the residents' three cats," said Rinaldo.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Five residents displaced by the fire are being helped by the Red Cross, News 12 New Jersey reported.

GoFundMe raising funds for family

Nick and Ashley Cornwell lost their grandfather's home and their belongings in the fire, according to a GoFundMe for the family.

It had raised over $27,000 as of noon Monday.

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