Toms River Fatal Fire
On February 14th at 11:03 am, Police, Fire, and EMS units responded to an active structure fire at 1911 Fiddlers Run. Upon arrival the units observed a heavy smoke condition. They were advised by witnesses on the scene that a woman was still inside of the home. Police Officers Scott Fallano and Raymond Beyerle, who were first to arrive, entered the front door and tried to locate the woman. They were quickly turned back by the thick smoke. Once outside, they located a 67 year old male resident in the back yard who had escaped the blaze. He was trying to regain entry to his home to locate the woman. The structure was now fully engulfed in flames and the rescue attempt by police officers was not successful. The homeowner, who suffered burns to his hands, was removed to a safe distance.
Once the firefighters arrived they made a brave secondary attempt to rescue the woman. The firefighters, who were in full protective gear, entered the home. As they made their way towards the interior of the house; an unidentified Fireman received 2nd degree burns to his neck and ear before having to retreat for safety reasons. He was treated and released at a local medical facility. The 64 year old woman, who also resided at that address, did not survive the fire. The man declined medical treatment at the scene.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Toms River Detective Roger Hull, Ocean County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Sheriffs CSI, and Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention.
Responding fire units were Pleasant Plains, Silverton, east Dover, Toms River #1 & #2, Island Heights, and Manchester. Medical units responding were Toms River EMS Division, MONOC Paramedics, and Silverton Volunteer EMS.
As of 4:50 pm, investigators were still on the scene. There has been no determination as to the cause.
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