Flames were visible from the courtyard side of the unit, above. Below, resident Kevin Tuohy, in striped shirt, speaks with a neighbor while one of the rescued dogs sits in a crate nearby. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Two humans and six canines escaped without injury from a fire in a Red Bank condo Wednesday afternoon.

Police responding to the 4:08 p.m. alarm at the Hilltop Terrace condos on Spring Street escorted Kevin Tuohy, a retired Little Silver police officer, from the burning apartment after an adult female said to have been his daughter had already escaped with several dogs, authorities said.

Two of the dogs were tied up nearby during the firefighting effort. Below, a view of the damaged apartment. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

Police and volunteer firefighters rescued the remaining animals, and firefighters quickly doused the blaze, which was visible through windows on the courtyard side of the apartment, at 301-25 Spring Street.

Police Chief Darren McConnell said six dogs, all pit bulls or similar breeds, were in the apartment at the time of the fire.

There was no immediate word on a possible cause of the blaze, which was limited to the second floor.

Several neighbors told redbankgreen that the unit was the subject of frequent complaints about unsanitary conditions, inside and out, owing to the number of dogs.

Tuohy told redbankgreen that three of the dogs lived in the apartment, and the other three belonged to guests.