TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Police report six people were injured, two critically during a fire on Mount Everest Lane in the adult living community of Holiday City Silverton.
According to Toms River Police Department spokeswoman Jillian Messina, two residents suffered severe burns. One police officer and two firefighters were also injured during the fire and rescue effort.
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“On Sunday, 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,” Messina said in a statement. “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 Office and Ocean County Sheriff CSI also assisted at the scene, Messina reported.
“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,” according to a statement by the Toms River Police Department. “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 origin and cause of the fire are currently under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Toms River Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a statement.
The fires remain under investigation by Detective Ryan Parente and Toms River Fire Inspector Kevin Britton.