LAKEWOOD, NJ – A recent structure fire in Lakewood Township has been ruled accidental by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The fire, which occurred early on May 4, originated from discarded smoking materials under a screened-in deck.
Emergency services responded to the blaze at Joe Parker Road at approximately 1:20 a.m., finding the structure heavily engulfed in flames. A male occupant, initially unaccounted for, was rescued by a Lakewood Township Police Officer and is now in critical but stable condition at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The rescuing officer was treated for smoke inhalation and released from Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus. Additionally, a firefighter experienced a cardiac event during the incident and has been treated and released from Ocean University Medical Center.