MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ – A fire erupted in a structure on Laketree Court on Monday, around 8:30 p.m. The Manchester Township Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to manage the blaze.
Significant damage was sustained by the building with parts of the first and second floors collapsing into the basement. The investigation was delayed due to safety concerns until daylight hours of Tuesday.
A collaborative effort between the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Squad and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, pinpointed the origin of the fire to the residence’s front porch.
Discarded smoking material could not be ruled out as the cause, leading the investigation to classify the fire as accidental.
The event also claimed one life. A male victim was discovered within the collapsed area of the structure. His remains were transported to the Community Medical Center in Toms River for a post mortem examination and identification.