A firefighter was rescued on Thursday during a house blaze. Watch video
SOUTH BRUNSWICK -- A firefighter had to be rescued from a house blaze on Thursday after he fell through a floor and into the basement of the burning home.
The 27-year-old firefighter, whose name was not released, was momentarily trapped, but suffered minor injuries that were treated at the scene, officials said.
A dog was also found dead on the second floor of the home, according to a statement from police.
The blaze started around 10 a.m. at a two-story home on Georges Road. A driver reported the fire after seeing smoke coming from a basement window, officials said.
When the Monmouth Junction Fire Department arrived, two teams went into the home to look for the source of the fire and to see if anyone was inside.
However, about 10 minutes into battling the blaze, a portion of the first floor gave way, causing the firefighter to fall through and into the basement, according to officials.
The firefighter radioed a mayday call and a second team -- which was already in the basement -- quickly found him and removed him from the home.
In a statement, Monmouth Junction Fire Chief Scott Smith said, "The firefighter who fell followed his training and immediately radioed his location. The other team moved rapidly to locate and remove him. His rescue is a credit to all the firefighters involved."
Smith said all 50 firefighters from all three South Brunswick fire companies -- as well as several neighboring towns -- responded to the fire, which was brought under control in about an hour.
The homeowners arrived as firefighters were extinguishing the blaze.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the South Brunswick Fire Marshal's Office.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.