Strangers jump into action to help Fairfield family escape from house fire

FAIRFIELD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A family of three in Fairfield can thank two strangers for their quick action on Monday after a fire broke out in their garage.

They were unaware the fire had broken out in their home on Ralph Drive just before 10 a.m. until a jogger and off-duty North Caldwell Sergeant Karl Strodthoff ran to the house and began knocking on the front door to alert them.

Everyone managed to escape the home with no injuries.

"These residents were unaware of the fire that was consuming their house and if not for the actions of the jogger and North Caldwell Sergeant Karl Strodthoff, this could have been a real tragedy" said Police Chief Anthony G. Manna.

Firefighters managed to get the fire under control in approximately 90 minutes.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.