Howell Township police responded to the residence at around 2:40 a.m. after someone dialed 911 and hung up, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said in a news release.
HOWELL -- A fire that appeared to start in the basement tore through a house on Arlyn Drive early Tuesday morning, leaving a family and their dog without a home.
Howell Township police responded to the residence at around 2:40 a.m. after someone dialed 911 and hung up, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said in a news release.
Officer Eric Encarnacion was the first to arrive at Arlyn Drive and saw smoke emanating from the property. The homeowner, Gary Hoffman, flagged down Encarnacion and told the officer everyone had exited the home safely.
Hoffman told police he, his wife, Diane, and mother-in-law, Theresa Julewicz, were home with the family dog when a fire alarm in the basement went off.
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Hoffman went downstairs and saw smoke coming from the basement. He saw flames shooting from the area of the furnace, but couldn't extinguish them.
By the time Encarnacion arrived at the home, flames could be seen inside the master bedroom.
The fire was eventually put out by firefighters from Ramtown Fire Department, Skuankum, Southard, South Wall and Herbertsville.
The Howell Fire Bureau and Office of Emergency Management also responded to the scene.
The home suffered significant damage, and the Hoffman family is temporarily staying with other family members, Antunez said.
Hoffman, a musician, told the Asbury Park Press that he lost his entire studio.
"It's completely gone," he told the newspaper. "I think I lost some of my guitars. ... I'm counting my blessings."
The Howell Township Police Department said in a statement that it extends its sympathies to the Hoffman family.
"We wish them a speedy return to normalcy in their lives," the statement said.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.