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The fire broke out in the basement in the 300 block of Riverlawn Drive and quickly blew through the more than 80-year-old single-family Cape Cod, they said.
Dennis Bennett's body was found in a rear area of the basement, responders said.
A 911 caller told police a woman got out with her two pet dogs, but that one ran back inside, Police Capt. Laurence Martin said. The dog's body was later discovered in the demolished house, the captain said.
"The female resident was examined for injuries and released on the scene to family members," he said.
A motor home, a Toyota Prius and a motorcycle in the driveway sustained fire damage, Martin said
Township Police Officers Tomasz Cydzik, Brendan Rigler and Anthony Bailey and Sgt. Joseph Rooney arrived just after 7:10 and found the house fully engulfed, the captain said.
"The intense flames and smoke" kept them from getting inside, he said.
Among the responders were Wayne Volunteer Fire Companies 1, 2, 3 and 5, the Wayne Memorial Volunteer First aid Squad, Wayne Animal Control and an Advanced Life Support unit from Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson.
Wayne Police Arson and Fire Investigation Unit Sgt. Donald Pavlak and Passaic County Prosecutor office Detective Giliberti were investigating.
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