Area firefighters respond to house blaze

Andover-At approximately 11:45 p.m. on Aug. 21, Andover Township Police received several reports of a house on fire and propane tank explosions. The house is located on Martin Street, in the Springdale Estates section of Andover Township. Upon arrival at the scene, officers Steve Murrell and Eric Danielson found the residence fully engulfed in flames, with the roof already collapsed. Six dogs were in the vicinity of the residence, as well as two trapped on a side deck very close to the flames. Ptl. Eric Danielson climbed on the porch with the assistance of Ptl. Steve Murrell and rescued the dogs. In doing so, Ptl. Danielson sustained minor burns to his hands and was transported to Newton Memorial hospital where he was treated and released. Veterinarian Karen Dash responded to the scene to assist with the injured dogs, who were all transported to the Newton Animal Hospital. The fire was extinguished by members of the Andover Township Fire Department assisted by Newton, Byram, Green, Fredon, Sparta and Lafayette fire departments, who cleared the scene a little after 4 a.m. The occupants of the house, Cheryl Bollenbacher, 31, and her fiancee' Bruce McLaughlin, 29; and a tenant, Ivan Many, 28 were not home at the time of the fire. The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still under investigation by Andover Officer Steve Murrell assisted by Ptl Danielson, Lt. Al Monaco, Det. Sgt. Harry Kinney, Chief Phill Coleman, the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office, Sussex County Fire Marshal's Office and the New Jersey State Police Arson Unit.