Man, Dog Both Died In Keyport House Fire

KEYPORT, NJ — The man who died in the Keyport house fire Tuesday morning has now been identified as Raymond Hammond, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor.

His dog, which was alive when he was rescued from the burning home, has also died.

The fire broke out at approximately 6:30 a.m. at Hammond's home on the 50 block of Green Grove Avenue, at the corner of Maple Place, and it rose to a second alarm. Smoke from the burning home could be seen throughout the area.

Hammond's wife was also in the home, and she survived the blaze that took the life of her husband and their dog. The couple had lived in the home for more than 50 years; they loved each other and their dog deeply, according to this GoFundMe created for the man's widow.

Hammond is being mourned by the close-knit town of Keyport, and is remembered by the community as an avid fisherman, neighbors told News 12. He was also a winning outboard motorboat racer.

Sources also told News 12 investigators are looking closely at an electrical outlet in the basement as a possible cause of the fire.

The Monmouth County Fire Marshal, the County Major Crimes Unit, along with the Keyport Police Department will continue the ongoing investigation.

Person Died In Keyport House Fire, Prosecutor Confirms (Tuesday)