A late-night fire ripped through a Leawood Avenue home last Saturday, forcing a family of four to flee as flames engulfed the residence. Officials confirmed the blaze was accidental, sparked by improperly discarded smoking materials.
The fire broke out around 11:43 p.m. at 541 Leawood Avenue. Neighbors spotted flames climbing the exterior of the home and immediately alerted the occupants before dialing 911.
First responders arrived to find an outside fire spreading quickly, consuming the garage door and porch stairwell before pushing vertically into the attic and a second-floor bedroom. The blaze was immediately declared a working structure fire. Crews from Pleasant Plains, Silverton, East Dover, and Toms River Fire Companies No. 1 and 2 mounted a coordinated attack and brought the incident under control.
All four occupants — two adults and two juveniles — evacuated safely. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced family.
Investigators determined the fire originated from discarded smoking materials that ignited nearby cardboard boxes and a township-issued trash container. The flames spread rapidly into the home before fire crews could contain it.
“The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire were determined to be accidental in nature,” said Matthew Janora, chief inspector and fire official for Toms River.
The residence has been declared unsafe for occupancy by the Toms River Township Building Department.