BERKELEY – Authorities are investigating a New Year’s Eve, late-night flash fire at a Berkeley Township home that left seven juveniles with burn injuries, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel were dispatched around 10:00 p.m. on December 31 to a residence on North Trenton Avenue after reports of a fire involving multiple victims. Responders determined the injuries were caused by a sudden flare-up from an outdoor fire pit.
Two of the juveniles were taken to Community Medical Center, where they were treated and released. A third juvenile was transported by her parents to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and was also treated and released. The remaining juveniles were released to their parents and declined medical treatment.
The incident remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit. No additional details were released as the investigation continues.
According to scanner chatter reported during the incident, someone allegedly threw gasoline on the pit – but police did not confirm that detail.
