Fire Leaves 4 Homeless In Bayville, Police Say

BERKELEY, NJ — A fire forced four people and their pet from a Berkeley Township home on Friday, with one person being hospitalized due to a medical emergency, authorities said.

The fire on Anchorage Boulevard was reported in the early hours Friday, Berkeley Township police said Saturday.

The house was fully engulfed in flames when emergency personnel arrived, police said.

The residents and their pet were out of the home safely, but as they assessed the residents they determined one was having a medical emergency, police said. That resident was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, and was listed as stable on Saturday, police said.

The Red Cross of New Jersey was assisting the residents with temporary housing, food and other immediate needs, the agency said.

Investigators determined the fire, which started in a spare room, was accidental, police said.

"Investigators believe the use of electric space heaters within the home is likely a contributing factor to the fire," police said.

The Bayville Volunteer Fire Company, Pinewald Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company and Manitou Park Fire Company, along with Berkeley Township EMT Squad and Bayville Volunteer First Aid, responded.