About 45 township firefighters from four fire companies responded to a residential house fire early Monday morning at 12 Chapman Terrace, off Wilson Avenue in the Port Monmouth section. 

Nobody was injured in the blaze, but the house was left charred, with extensive fire and smoke damage, said Middletown Township Fire Dept. spokesman John Isaksen.  

Firefighters from Belford Engine, Belford Independent, Community, and East Keansburg Fire Companies were summoned to the scene at 5:23 a.m. by police. The arriving firefighters found flames were shooting out from the second floor windows.

Deputy Chief John D’Altilio halted attempts to put out the fire from the interior due to concerns that the structure might collapse. Instead, the firefighters fought the blaze from the outside.

The fire was brought under control by 6:05 a.m.

Also assisting at the scene were the MTFD Air Unit and the Port Monmouth First Aid Squad. 

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Middletown Township Fire Prevention Bureau.