It was a tragic morning in Keyport after a person and a dog died in a fire.

The fire happened early Tuesday morning at a home on Green Grove Avenue at the intersection of Maple Place.

Gail Young lives down the street from the destroyed home and recalls seeing the victim, Raymond Hammond, outside during her walks.

“He's always been out there with his fishing poles on the weekend,” said Young.

Relatives tell News 12 Hammond was beloved in the community and was an avid fisherman. His wife Pat survived but is now left with nothing.

The family dog Winston also died in the tragic fire.

Firefighters from all over the Bayshore communities rushed to the home in the early morning hours.

Sources tell News 12 investigators are looking closely at an electrical outlet in the basement as a possible cause and origin of the deadly fire, but it will be up to the trained experts for the final ruling.

Gail tells us this friendly tight-knit community will come together in any way they can.

“It's a difficult loss. Absolutely, absolutely,” she said.

The Monmouth County Fire Marshal, the County Major Crimes Unit, along with the Keyport Police Department will continue the ongoing investigation.