Toms River, New Jersey, Police Officer Rebecca Sayegh acted heroically to save a homeowner and her pets from a house fire.
According to an ABC7 news report, the 600 block, Loxley Drive home caught fire on January 28 at 11:30 pm in freezing temperatures. Residents were alarmed by the flames and smoke and called 911.
Officer Sayegh forced her way through the front door and managed to rescue the occupant and her pets. According to the report, the woman was stuck in the foyer and could not open the front door due to the heavy smoke. Without her heroic actions, it is likely that those inside the house would have died or suffered serious injuries.
Weather conditions also proved challenging. Because of the high winds and the risk of spreading flames, nearby homes were forced to evacuate. Moreover, the roads had to be salted and sanded because the temperature was cold enough to freeze the water being used to put the fire out.
Fire units from township companies 1 and 2 arrived at scene using aerial master streams to extinguish the flames. An EMS Mass Care Response Team was also present, along with Toms River Police Detectives Roger Hull and Travis Seaman and Township Fire Inspectors Matthew Janora and Dana Mitchell.
Thus far, it is believed the fire was accidental.