Mom of two dies trying to rescue 6-year-old as family’s home burns, NJ officials say
_fitted.png "Jacqueline Montanaro is survived by her husband and older daughter, family members said.")
A mom of two died trying to rescue her 6-year-old daughter from the family’s burning home in New Jersey, officials and loved ones say.
The family’s home in Hazlet caught fire just after midnight on Friday, Jan. 13, Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post.
As the blaze raged, Will Montanaro, his wife, Jacqueline Montanaro, and their oldest daughter, 8, escaped the home. The couple realized their younger daughter was missing and both ran back into the house, Will Montanaro said in a tweet.
“Jackie was a hero,” Will Montanaro said. “When I rushed back into the house for Madelyn, I became enveloped in a massive amount of thick, hot black smoke. Without hesitation, Jackie then charged in with a mother’s love and the courage of a police officer fueling her attempt to save our daughter.”
Rescuers found two people trapped in the home, and they were both transported to a hospital, deputies said.
Jackie Montanaro died in her rescue attempt and Madelyn Montanaro died from her injuries Friday afternoon, according to a GoFundMe benefiting the family.
“I am heartbroken,” Will Montanaro said. “I have lost the love of my life — my beautiful wife, Jackie — and my sweet, loving, spunky little girl, Madelyn.”
The family’s pet dog, Duchess, also died in the fire, Jackie Montanaro’s sister, Marisa Autera, said in a Facebook post.
“Words cannot describe the heartache my family and I are feeling by their tragic loss,” Autera wrote. “We all miss them both terribly and will keep them close in our hearts, and cherish the many, many loving memories.”
Jackie Montanaro worked as a Customs and Border Protection officer, her husband said. She is remembered as a “devoted” worker.
“It was a pleasure to know and work with Jackie Montanaro,” a co-worker said on Facebook. “She made the ultimate sacrifice without hesitation.”
Jackie Montanaro worked for the Port of New York/Newark after starting her career with Customs and Border Protection at JFK International Airport in 2007, Anthony Bucci, a spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement.
“Supervisory CBP Officer Montanaro was a valued member of the Port of New York/Newark,” Bucci said.
Will Montanaro, who is described by friends as “an amazing friend and better father,” said he is focused on caring for their surviving daughter.
“I am focused on getting my daughter the support and help she’s going to need, so we can rebuild our lives together,” he said. “I need to lay my family to rest and put 100% of my attention on my daughter.”
Hazlet is about 40 miles south of New York City.
This story was originally published January 17, 2023 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Mom of two dies trying to rescue 6-year-old as family’s home burns, NJ officials say."
