ORTLEY BEACH, NJ – A vehicle fire in the driveway of a home at 38 Fielder Avenue in Ortley Beach spread to a house and damaged two other homes, according to the Toms River Fire Bureau.
The fire was reported shortly after midnight on Friday when the Toms River Police and Fire Department communications center received a call for a vehicle on fire at 38 Fielder Avenue.
The Toms River Police Department patrol unit in Ortley Beach arrived with the Seaside Heights and Ocean Beach Fire Company. Upon their arrival, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and had extended to the home located at 38 Fielder.
As the fire grew, it spread to a home at 32 Fielder Avenue and another home at 44 Fielder Avenue sustained exterior damage.
“The fire was upgraded to a 2nd alarm plus two additional engine companies. The fire was declared under control at approximately 2 AM by Chief Calvo from the Ocean Beach Fire Company who was the incident commander,” the Toms River Fire Bureau reported. “The structure at 38 Fielder Ave. suffered severe fire damage on all floors along with the homeowner’s two vehicles that were in the driveway. The structure at 44 Fielder Ave. suffered damage to the exterior wall and attic space along with severe damage to a Kia Soul that was parked in the driveway. The house at 32 Fielder received damage to the exterior wall along with smoke throughout the interior. “
The homeowner at 38 Fielder Avenue was able to escape the fire without any injuries. No other injuries were reported. The fire cause is under investigation by Fire Inspectors Ryan LaVigne and Richard Foster from the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention and Toms River Police Department Patrolman Scott Fallano. The cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious.