The Manchester Fire Department battled a serious blaze that broke out at 10 S. Heron Street in the township, with mutual assistance from nearby fire departments.
At least one person was trapped inside the burning structure and passed away. Another was rescued by firefighters and was transported to the hospital in unknown condition.
The deceased victim has not yet been identified, but sources tell Lakewood Alerts that she is an approximately 50-year-old woman whose body was not immediately removed from the home.
Police and fire officials are currently investigating.
The Manchester Police Department released the following statement:
On March 19, 2023, at approximately 6:51pm, the Manchester Police Department received a call for a structure fire on Heron St located in the Cedar Glen West section of the Township. Several patrol officers responded and observed the residence to be fully engulfed in flames. Residents from the adjoining quadplex and surrounding buildings were quickly evacuated. Upon arrival, officers were told by a family member that another family member was still inside of the burning home. Officers attempted to make entry into the residence where they were met by heavy smoke and heat and they were unable to get in the home to rescue the resident inside.
As a result of attempting to get inside of the home, three police officers and the reporting family member were taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Multiple Fire Departments from Manchester, Whiting, Ridgeway, Joint Base, Lakehurst, Toms River, and Cassville responded to extinguish the fire. Manchester Emergency Medical Service responded to assess the residents and officers for smoke inhalation.
Detective Adam Emmons of the Manchester Police Investigations Bureau, Detective John Doran of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Fire Marshall are investigating this incident. Also assisting with the investigation is the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit and the Ocean County Medical Examiner. Manchester Emergency Management Coordinator Robert Sharry and the American Red Cross also responded to assist with the incident. At this point in time, the cause and origin of the fire is unknown as the case is actively being investigated. The identity of the decedent will not be released due to pending notification to the decedent’s next of kin.
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