A blaze ripped through a Toms River home Thursday night, sending thick smoke and flames billowing into the night sky, and severely damaging the structure.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., emergency dispatchers alerted Toms River Fire Companies No. 1 and No. 2, along with East Dover Fire Company, to a reported structure fire on Jane Court, in the heart of the downtown section. Within minutes, the severity of the inferno escalated, prompting a second alarm and summoning additional fire crews from across the township.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, they were met with an ominous sight—flames engulfing the rear of a two-story single-family home, licking at the roof as thick, acrid smoke poured into the air. Crews wasted no time, deploying multiple handlines to battle the blaze. Despite their rapid response, the fire had already left a devastating mark, causing extensive smoke, fire, and water damage throughout the home. After assessing the destruction, the Toms River Building Department deemed the structure unsafe for occupancy.
Miraculously, the home’s occupants and their pets managed to escape unharmed. Their swift evacuation was triggered when they noticed flames and smoke through a rear window, giving them just enough time to flee. No injuries were reported among residents, firefighters, or first responders.
Investigators from the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, working alongside the Toms River Police Department, later determined the fire’s cause to be accidental—ignited by improperly discarded smoking materials in a garbage can near the rear of the home.