Neighbors rescue 83-year-old from burning Aberdeen home

ABERDEEN – Neighbors helped rescue an 83-year-old man who was unable to escape his burning home on his own Wednesday morning, said Police Chief John T. Powers.

Louis Falco, 56, who lives just up the street on Riverdale Drive from the fire, said he was passing in his truck when he saw white smoke. The fire was reported at 10:30 a.m.

"As I got closer ... I saw the old man who lived there," Falco said. "He was obviously trying to crawl out, and he only made it to the front door."

Another neighbor, a woman who lived across the street, was trying to help the large man out of the house but he was too heavy, Falco said.

Falco and the other neighbor were yelling for others to call 911 and asked the victim if anyone else was inside and he said he was unsure.

"That scared me a little bit," said Falco who helped get the man to safety.

"He was OK but the house was destroyed," Falco said. Even the victim's two cats managed to escape the fire and were found in the woods by a neighbor's house, he said.

"I am really glad he got out," Falco said.

The man rescued from the house was treated for dizziness at the scene and released, police said.

There were no other injuries reported, Powers said. The Cliffwood Volunteer Fire Company was assisted by Aberdeen Hose and Chemical with mutual aid from Holmdel, Matawan, Hazlet and Keyport fire companies.

The house had significant damage, police said. Smoke from the fire could be seen from a far distance.

Medical first responders included MONOC, South Aberdeen EMS, Holmdel, Keyport, Old Bridge and the Monmouth County EMS Task Force. Patrolman Vito Turchiano was the first responding officer.

Margaret F. Bonafide: 732-557-5734; bonafide@app.com