MANCHESTER – A house fire that broke out Friday evening in Manchester Township has been ruled accidental, police said.
Around 10:58 p.m., police and fire personnel responded to a home on Moccasin Drive in Whiting. Despite the home being fully engulfed in flames, police said the homeowner was not present at the time of the fire. Due to the fire’s nature, officers immediately evacuated residents from surrounding homes.
Multiple fire companies from mutual aid partner jurisdictions arrived and swiftly extinguished the blaze, officials said. After it was successfully put out, first responded reported no injuries. Officials deemed the home uninhabitable. The American Red Cross also responded promptly to assist those in need.
Thorough investigation determined that the fire was accidental and caused by an electrical failure.
The Manchester Township Police Department extends gratitude to the Manchester Township EMS and the following fire departments for their swift response and assistance: Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Joint Base MDL Fire Department, Lakehurst Fire Department, Forked River Fire Company, and Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company. They would also like to thank the Pleasant Plains Fire Company for providing coverage for Manchester Township during this incident.
