CBP officer dies trying to save daughter from New Jersey home fire

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A border patrol officer died after running back into her family’s burning home to save her six-year-old daughter.

Jacqueline Montanaro and her daughter Madelyn died in a house fire after their family was awakened by fire alarms and a blaze that erupted on the first floor of their New Jersey home.

The mother-of-two was asleep with her husband William when alarms went off and they rushed to find Madelyn, their eight-year-old Elena and the family Goldendoodle.

William, Elena and Jaqueline made it outside before noticing the six-year-old was missing.

‘When I rushed back into the house for Madelyn, I became enveloped in a massive amount of thick, hot black smoke,’ William said in a statement issued by his brother to NJ.com. ‘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.’

CBP officer dies trying to save daughter from New Jersey home fire

Jacqueline (right circled) and Madelyn Montanaro (left circled), 6, died in a New Jersey house fire on Friday. The mother-of-two was asleep with her husband William when they rushed to find their eight-year-old daughter, Madeyln  (second to right) and dog before escaping

A relative said the family only had about ten seconds before the fire fully engulfed the home

A relative said the family only had about ten seconds before the fire fully engulfed the home

 William, 39, failed to make it through the home to save Madelyn. Meanwhile, Jaqueline disappeared and never made it back out. 

‘They basically had 10 seconds to try to get out of the house before they were covered,’ Willams brother told the news outlet. ‘They did what they could.’ 

Heartbroken William remembered his wife and daughter who he actively posted about on social media. 

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‘I am heartbroken. I have lost the love of my life – my beautiful wife, Jackie – and my sweet, loving, spunky little girl, Madelyn,’ Mr. Montanaro said. ‘Jackie was a hero.’ 

Jacqueline and Madelyn were retrieved from the home by firefighters and taken to a local hospital in critical condition where they were pronounced dead.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been released – and the family’s Goldendoodle remains missing.

William added that he recruited the search party Hound Hunters to find the dog. 

‘A search continues for our beloved dog, Duchess,’ William said on Sunday. ‘Thank you to our neighbors and the scores of people, the Hazlet Police Department and surrounding communities’ law enforcement who have been, and continue to, press to find her.’

Jacqueline and Madelyn were retrieved from the home by firefighters and taken to a local hospital in critical condition where they were pronounced dead

Jacqueline and Madelyn were retrieved from the home by firefighters and taken to a local hospital in critical condition where they were pronounced dead

Heartbroken William remembered his wife and daughter who he actively posted about on social media

Heartbroken William remembered his wife and daughter who he actively posted about on social media

Madelyn (right) was remembered as a 'sweet, loving, spunky little girl'

Madelyn (right) was remembered as a ‘sweet, loving, spunky little girl’

Officials were seen at the scene located at 10 Brookside Avenue on Friday. The left side of the couch appears to be nearly untouched from the outside

Officials were seen at the scene located at 10 Brookside Avenue on Friday. The left side of the couch appears to be nearly untouched from the outside

The home was seen partially torn apart by the fire. Smoke filled curtains were hanging outside a broken window

The home was seen partially torn apart by the fire. Smoke filled curtains were hanging outside a broken window

A GoFundMe account was set up to help support William as he deals with the loss of his wife and daughter

A GoFundMe account was set up to help support William as he deals with the loss of his wife and daughter 

William actively posted about his family on social media. A hunt to find the family dog is now underway

William actively posted about his family on social media. A hunt to find the family dog is now underway

Jacqueline, who was also referred to as Jackie, was remembered as a devoted wife and strategic worker

Jacqueline, who was also referred to as Jackie, was remembered as a devoted wife and strategic worker

A GoFundMe account was set up to help support William and his eight-year-old following the fire.

Organizer Robert Cacioli remembered Jacqueline, who he referred to as Jackie, as a devoted wife and strategic worker. She worked at Newark Liberty International Airport as a US Customs and Border Protection officer.

‘Jackie’s ability to get any job done at work was only second to her love and devotion to her family at home,’ Cacioli wrote.

‘She held everyone to an extremely high standard and worked tirelessly to make everyone around her a better officer, a better person, or simply a better family member. 

As of Monday morning, about $216,179 of $250,000 has been raised. 

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