MANCHESTER – A massive blaze tore through a home in the Cedar Glen West section of town, leaving one resident dead. At this point, the cause is under probe.
Lieutenant James Komsa of the Manchester Township Police Department said officers were called to the Heron Street home at around 6:51 on March 19 for a report of a house fire.
According to police, several patrol officers responded and observed the home to be fully engulfed in flames.
Residents from the adjoining quadplex and surrounding buildings were quickly evacuated.
Officers were told by a resident that another family member was still inside of the burning home. They attempted to gain entry inside but the heavy smoke, heat and flames made it impossible for them to rescue the resident.
Three police officers and a resident were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Multiple Fire Departments from Manchester, Whiting, Ridgeway, Joint Base, Lakehurst, Toms River, and Cassville responded to extinguish the fire. Manchester Emergency Medical Service responded as well.
Police said Detective Adam Emmons of the Manchester Police Investigations Bureau, Detective John Doran of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Fire Marshal are investigating this incident.
Also assisting with the investigation is the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit and the Ocean County Medical Examiner. Manchester Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Sharry and the American Red Cross also responded to assist with the incident.
The identity of the decedent will not be released due to pending notification to the decedent’s next of kin.
