SOUTH TOMS RIVER – A house fire in the borough sends a man to the hospital with severe burns over most of his body. Now authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze that brought out more than 50 firefighters to battle it.
South Toms River Police Chief William Kosh said the fire broke out at the Annapolis Court home a little after noon on August 14.
The 52-year-old victim was airlifted to the burn center at RWJBarnabas Health in Livingston but he was conscious and alert. He now remains in stable condition. His dog was able to get out of the home unharmed.
In addition to South Toms River Police, firefighters from the Manitou Park Fire Company, Pinewald Pioneer Fire Co., Bayville Volunteer Fire Department, Toms River Fire companies 1 and 2 and South Toms River EMS responded to the scene.
According to the Mantitou Park Volunteer Fire Company in Berkeley, three firefighters suffered minor injuries including steam burns and heat exhaustion. They were all treated and released from Community Medical Center.
Police confirm that several other firefighters suffered heat related illnesses and were able to resume on scene operations after a short rest.
The house was totally destroyed in the blaze and now the cause is under probe by the Ocean County Fire Marshals Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s CSI, and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Arson Division.
Police and fire units wanted to thank Beachwood Vol. Fire Department, Pine Beach Volunteer Fire Company No.1, Toms River Fire Company 2, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasant Plains Vol. Fire Department, Berkeley Township Police Department EMS Division, Toms River Police EMS IAFF Local 4846, Brick Township Police Emergency Medical Services, Manchester Division of Emergency Services and the Ocean County EMS Coordinators for their assistance with manpower.
They also thank the Beachwood Police Department for assistance with traffic control, Luigis Deli Meat Market for donating drinks to responding units and ShopRite for supplying water for everyone at the scene.
