JACKSON — Firefighters rescued a homeowner after she called 911 to report a fire in her kitchen. Firefighters from the Whitesville and Jackson fire companies, stations 55 and 57, arrived at 45 Whitlock Road at about 3:18 a.m. Oct. 14 to discover a working fire with smoke showing from the residence.

Additional assistance from Cassville and Jackson Mills, stations 54 and 56, was requested for manpower and water supply, according to a press release from fire officials.

Firefighters made their way into the home to suppress the fire and conduct a search and rescue of occupants of the residence. The fire was knocked down relatively quickly, and the search and rescue conducted by firefighters discovered the unconscious homeowner on the stairwell landing.

The firefighters quickly removed the woman from the smoke-filled home. The woman was treated and transported to KimballMedical Center, Lakewood, by Jackson First Aid volunteers and MONOC paramedics. The woman was stabilized at the hospital and was airlifted to the University of Pennsylvania hospital for further treatment due to severe smoke inhalation.

The press release stated that the resident's current condition was unknown.

Two dogs were also discovered by firefighters and removed from the home and turned over to the animal control officer.

The home suffered moderate fire and smoke damage and was declared unsafe by the construction official, according to the press release.

A preliminary investigation revealed that smoke detectors may have alerted the homeowner to the fire, but that had yet to be confirmed by the resident because of her condition, according to the press release.

The fire investigation was conducted by the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety 1 and 3, Jackson Police Detective Division, Ocean County Fire Marshal, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, the Ocean County Sheriff's Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit and K-9 units.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Fire Official Frank McDonnell of the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety 1 and 3 took the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of having working smoke detectors in the home.

McDonnell said smoke detectors should be checked monthly, batteries should be changed every time clocks are changed, and smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. The Fire Bureau is giving away free battery-operated smoke detectors to residents in need. For more information, call 732-928-1666, ext. 14.