HOLMDEL — A fire broke out on the roof of a Holmdel nursing home Wednesday afternoon, prompting an emergency response and the relocation of residents from one wing of the facility.
At approximately 12:28 p.m., Holmdel Township Police received a call reporting the smell of smoke at the Arnold Walter Nursing Home on Laurel Avenue near Middle Road. As officers responded, they were informed of an active fire on the roof at the rear of the building.
Holmdel Fire & Rescue Company #2, with assistance from multiple Bayshore mutual aid agencies, quickly responded to the scene. The fire was contained to the roof, and smoke exposure was limited to one wing of the building.
All residents in the affected area were either relocated to safe areas within the facility or evacuated as a precaution. One individual was treated by EMS at the scene but refused further medical attention.
Officials say the preliminary investigation points to chemicals used in repair work igniting upon contact with metal flashing that had been exposed to extreme heat. The exact cause remains under investigation.
The coordinated response involved Holmdel Police, Holmdel Fire & Rescue Company #2, the New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, Monmouth County Fire Marshals, Monmouth County HAZMAT, Monmouth County EMS Taskforce, Holmdel Fire Marshals, Holmdel First Aid Squad, and fire departments from Hazlet, Keyport, Keansburg, and Middletown Township.