PRESS RELEASE-TOMS RIVER STRUCTURE FIRE RULED ACCIDENTAL
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit has determined that the cause of the structure fire that occurred on February 7, 2020, in the Silverton section of Toms River was accidental. A post-mortem examination of the victim discovered in the remains of the fire was conducted by the Ocean County Medical Examiner on February 9, 2020. The results of that examination determined that the manner of death was accidental and the cause of death was smoke inhalation and fire related injuries.
On Friday, February 7, 2020, the Toms River Township Police and multiple fire departments responded to a residence in the Silverton section of Toms River for a report of a structure fire. Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, the structure was fully engulfed with the fire spreading into the four surrounding residences. Emergency service personnel determined that the structure was occupied by two adults and three children at the time of the fire. It was further determined that a male and three children evacuated the residence, however one female remained inside. Rescue efforts were attempted by police and fire personnel, but were unsuccessful. After the fire was extinguished, a female body was discovered inside the residence.
A Toms River Township Police Officer was transported to Community Medical Center and treated for smoke inhalation. He was treated and released the next morning.
“Although the victim’s identity has been reported by several media outlets and the Lakewood Board of Education, we are in the process of confirming same through medical records. Please keep in mind what this family is going through at this time. This is a tragedy that no family should ever have to deal with,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
So sad and tragic…
Garrett May
The guy woke up for a cigarette then put it in his planter on back porch went back to bed, and woke up to an engulfed porch, and heavy wind
Thomas McMurray Is this true?
Caryn Abruzzese-Lyon yes it is, my buddy is his friend
Thomas McMurray and how do you know this ?
Thomas McMurray no smoke detectors?
Peggy Brednich Belavich read my last comment
I wouldn’t share this information – he is suffering enough without being judged based on a friend of a friends statement.
Amy Bellis you are so correct. Especially if that is true.
Heather Martinho agreed. If the family want’s people to know they should be the only ones to say it. I mean the article says accidental. If they wanted people to know more they would say it.
Jaime Wiercinski Leszczynski
Colleen Oropeza
Jenn Mitchell
Please remember that these poor children will be able to google these articles AND your comments in the future. Let them maintain a healthy relationship with their father which isn’t tainted by FB comments
Nobody but the family should be commenting. It’s a awful tradgey. Let the family grieve. Regardless of what happened or how it happened. The children are left without a mom.
Kim Dufour sorry for the loss of your family member????
Karen Kennedy it’s not my family member. Just saying it’s a horrible thing. People should just wait for the family to say what happened .
Kim Dufour So true what a tragedy may she rest in peace and my prayers are with her children in the rest of her family so said
Greg Stallone ????????
Kim Peisel Bauer
Were their smoke detectors working? I am wondering because I worry about my own house now. Are smoke detectors enough?
Stefanie Rusin Carpenter 30 years ago you had 17 minutes to get out, today with open floor plans 3 minutes. Have a plan and practice it, talk with your children till its automatic.
Just heartbreaking….prayers for this family
Nicole Ann
????????????????????For this family
Truly tragic
It’s just sad ????