Devastated dad pays touching tribute to hero cop wife who died trying to save daughter from house fire
HAZLET, NEW JERSEY: A Hazlet family is grieving the loss of a mother and baby daughter who perished in a house fire on January 13. Authorities reported that the fire claimed the lives of both the mother Jacqueline Montanaro, 40, and the 6-year-old daughter Madelyn. Their death occurred on January 14, according to relatives.
William, his wife, and their 8-year-old daughter made it out when the house was engulfed in flames but their 6-year-old Madelyn was still inside the house. William claimed that his wife entered the house valiantly to save Madelyn. “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,” William said in the statement, referring to Jacqueline’s job as a supervisory US Customs and Border Protection officer at Newark Liberty International Airport.
READ MORE
Two children among 3 killed in three-alarm house fire in Pittsburgh's Brighton Heights neighborhood
Although she and Madelyn were revived on the spot and sent to St Barnabas Hospital in Livingston, efforts to save their lives were unsuccessful, according to the couple's brother-in-law Domenico Montanaro. He said Jackie Montanaro died early on January 14. That afternoon, Madelyn died as well, as reported by Patch.
William Montanaro, wrote of his loss and the bravery of his wife, "I am heartbroken. I have lost the love of my life – my beautiful wife, Jackie – and my sweet, loving, spunky little girl, Madelyn. Jackie was a hero," he said.
According to Domenico Montanaro, a fire damaged the family's home at 10 Brookside Ave. The cause of the fire is not known. William Montanaro and his surviving daughter are currently residing in Holmdel, where the brothers' parents just relocated, according to the brother. The family has many connections to the community because Domenico, who is now a journalist for National Public Radio, used to teach English at Raritan High School in Hazlet.
Montanaro expressed gratitude to the neighborhood for its show of solidarity, "First, our entire family would like to say thank you to the first responders for their tireless efforts, the nurses and hospital staff for their care and understanding, and our Hazlet neighbors and broader Jersey Shore community for rallying by our side in this extraordinarily difficult and painful time," he wrote on social media.
William works as a representative for the Boy Scouts of America. Hazlet police claim that many sources are being used to raise money for funeral costs: "As the Hazlet community tries to wrap our heads around such a tragic event, please keep the Montanaro family in your thoughts and help support them if you can. We have vetted three different organizers that are taking collections for this family," police said.
Domenico Montanaro admitted that he and his family are still in disbelief, but that they are banding together to help his younger brother and his 8-year-old daughter Elena who is still alive. The family dog, a Goldendoodle named Duchess, reportedly escaped the fire and was seen fleeing. According to him, his brother is now desperate to get their dog back and would welcome any assistance from the public in finding her.