Pre-Thanksgiving Fire Destroys Howell Home, Firefighter Injured

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township home was destroyed and a firefighter was injured Wednesday when a car on fire in the driveway spread to the house, Howell police said Wednesday afternoon.

Calls to 911 just before 10 a.m. reported the car fire in the driveway of the Ethan Drive home in the Manasquan River Crossing development, Detective Sgt. Peter Kuppler said.

The car was right next to the house, and by the time emergency services arrived the 4,500-square-foot home was fully engulfed, he said. The fire caused the roof to collapse.

All of the home's occupants had safely evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, Kuppler said.

The only reported injury involved a firefighter from the career division of the Squankum Fire Company, who suffered smoke inhalation. He was taken by EMS to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment. His condition was unknown Wednesday evening, Kuppler said.

Authorities said the fire does not appear suspicious but the Howell Township Fire Bureau and the Howell Township Police Department Detective Bureau are investigating.

In addition to Howell Township police and detectives, the Howell Township Fire Bureau, Squankum Fire Company, Farmingdale Fire Company, Adelphia Fire Company, Southard Fire Company, Ramtown Fire Company, Freewood Acres Fire Company, Jackson Township Fire Company, Wall Township Company, Howell Police EMS, Farmingdale-Howell First Aid, Howell Township First Aid, MONOC paramedics, and the Howell Township Office of Emergency Management responded.

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