Fast-Moving Wayne House Fire Kills 1
WAYNE , N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Authorities say a man has died after a fast-moving fire tore through his Passaic County home early Sunday.
The fire broke out shortly before 8 a.m. in the basement of the Wayne home. It quickly spread through the rest of the home and to a car and a trailer parked in the home's driveway.
The homeowner -- identified as Dennis Bennett -- and the family's dog were both found dead inside the home. Sgt. Don Pavlak of the Wayne Police Department says Bennett's wife was also in the home, but managed to escape the flames.
"She was on scene when we arrived," Sgt. Pavlak said. "She's quite distressed now, as anyone would be losing their spouse."
Sgt. Pavlak adds Bennett's wife placed the initial 911 call around 7:50 a.m.
1010 WINS' Andrew Falzon reports the blaze took more than 70 firefighters over an hour and a half to get the blaze under control. The entire second and third floors of the home are destroyed, according to Sgt. Pavlak.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
