Off-Duty Trooper Was First To Arrive At Sussex County Blaze That Killed 2 Pets: Officials

Two pets died in a Sussex County house fire in which an off-duty trooper and firefighter was the first to respond, officials said.

Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company
Photo Credit: *Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company Facebook*

Cecilia Levine

12/24/2023 2:27 p.m.

Reports of a fire came from a neighbor on on Saddleback Road in Stillwater around 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 22, fire officials said.

"A nearby trooper who is also a firefighter arrived on scene and reported a working fire," the Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company said on Facebook.

Firefighters from Stillwater, Hampton, Fredon, Andover, Blairstown, Byram, Green, and Branchville responded, with Knowlton on standby.

Flames were coming from the side of the home, a detached garage and the attic, firefighters said.

"With 3 handlines in operation and crews making ventilation holes in the roof to access the stubborn attic fire the fire was extinguished in approximately 2 hours," Stillwater fire officials said.

The family suffered significant damage and two pets died, firefighters said.

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