4 families displaced in Lindenwold fire

LINDENWOLD, N.J. (WPVI) -- The families who live in four homes damaged by fire in Lindenwold, New Jersey Thursday night returned Friday morning to assess the damage.

Most of them won't be able to get inside until the fire marshal wraps up the investigation.

Action News was there as Samuel Fields surveyed the home he spent years renovating.

It was around 7:00 p.m. Thursday when it went up in flames.

"We heard a pop in the breaker, and my mother in law thought it was something random," said Fields. "I went to go check it, went upstairs and saw smoke. I told everyone to get out."

While Fields' five family members made it out, his 2-year-old dog, Nico, did not.

"Of all the times I called him to come, he didn't come this time," Fields said.

Fields' home and three others in the 700 block of Colonial Square Drive were affected by the blaze.

A borough official has deemed them unsafe to enter until the fire marshal completes the investigation.

Cathy Tourtillott's home was damaged, but she was most worried about her two cats, Noodles and Nutball.

The cats were found safe hours after the blaze started.

"They're my children," she said. "My husband is very ill and not doing well and those cats keep me going helping him with his sickness."

One firefighter suffered minor injuries fighting Thursday night's blaze.

No other injuries were reported.

Borough officials tell Action News there is no official word yet on the cause.