Smoking While Using Oxygen Ruled Cause of Serious Fire in Toms River
March 21, 2022
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–On Sunday, March 20, 2022, at approximately 9:45 PM multiple police units, fire companies, and EMTs were dispatched to Mt. Everest Lane for a reported structure fire. First responders located two victims unconscious inside the residence. Both victims suffered severe burns and were flown to Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston for treatment.
Three firemen and one police officer received treatment for minor injuries sustained during the fire. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Officer and Ocean County Sheriff CSI also assisted at the scene.When leaving the house fire on Mt. Everest Lane, Officer Manolio was driving in the area and observed heavy smoke, he circled the neighborhood and observed a fire on Mt. Juliano Lane. At the same time dispatch had received a 9-1-1 call regarding the second fire. Upon arrival, officers were advised that all occupants of the home were outside and safe. Due to strong winds, surrounding homes were evacuated as a precaution. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire without it spreading to surrounding homes. The exterior of a neighboring home sustained some damage, and three vehicles in the homeowner’s driveway were destroyed in the fire. There were no reported injuries at the fire on Mt. Juliano Lane.
The fires remain under investigation by Detective Ryan Parente and Toms River Fire Inspector Kevin Britton.