The fire in the Country Oaks housing development started about 6 a.m. in a garbage can located in the garage, said Lt. Jeff Paul of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office. The cause was determined to be accidental by Detective Robert McDermott and Agent Jennifer Miktus of the Prosecutor's Office Arson Unit, Paul said.
"Unfortunately due to the garbage can being totally consumed by the fire it will not be possible to make a specific determination what actually caught fire in the can," Paul said.
Eric Prince, 46, and his wife, Evelyn, 45, were outside the two-story, single-family home, frantically calling for their dark-haired, mixed-breed dog, Coco, according to neighbors.
"The dog to them was like their child," said Cindy Masotti, who lives across the street from the Princes.
Masotti said her husband, Steve, was getting ready to leave for work when he opened the garage and saw Evelyn Prince in her front yard, yelling for help. Masotti said her husband called 911, but the fire was too quick to be contained.
"I came out a few minutes later and the house was already in flames," Masotti said.
Neighbors said Eric Prince tried unsuccessfully to save Coco from the burning home. They said police prevented him from entering the burning structure to try to save the dog.
Hiroshi Tanaka, who also lives across the street from the Princes, said his wife heard people screaming that there was a fire.
"I came out with a fire extinguisher in hand," Tanaka said. "It was too late, the fire was all over.
