3 Firefighters, Resident Hurt During Brick Fire

BRICK, NJ — Three firefighters and a resident were injured early Monday during a fire at the Brick Gardens apartment complex, Brick Township police said Monday afternoon.

Two of the firefighters and the resident were taken to Ocean Medical Center, Brick, for treatment, Brick Sgt. Neal Pedersen said. The firefighters were treated and released, Pedersen said. The resident was treated for smoke inhalation and released, he said.

The fire, which was reported about 2 a.m., forced residents from four apartments, Pedersen said. A firewall and quick efforts on the part of firefighters prevented the fire from spreading farther, he said.

Pedersen said Patrolmen Dinnebeil, McGrath, Stephenson and Thergesen responded to the 911 call from the resident of Apartment 4 in Building 12 reporting the fire. Upon arrival they observed smoke coming out of a second-story window and the appearance of fire, and evacuated the residents of the apartment, he said.

Crews from Pioneer Hose Company, Breton Woods Fire Company responded and fought the fire under the direction of Chief Dave Lindholm, assisted by the Laurelton and Herbertsville Fire companies. Initial crews attacked the heavy fire in the second-floor apartment and vented through the roof to extinguish the fire, Pedersen said.

The Silverton, Point Pleasant and Mantoloking fire companies assisted Brick, Pedersen said.

The resident, on the 911 call, said he was awakened by a smoke detector going off in his apartment and said he saw a fire at the back of his television in his living room, Pedersen said. The man evacuated his apartment after the 911 call, he said.

The fire, which was reported under control about 3 a.m., damaged at least four of the apartments in Building 12, Pedersen said.

The fire is being investigated by Brick Township Police Department Detectives Steinberg and Lash as well as the Brick Township Fire Safety Bureau and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, he said.

The Brick Township Police EMS was assisted by surrounding agencies that included, Howell EMS, Lakewood EMS, Point Pleasant Borough, Point Pleasant Beach EMS and South Toms River EMS.

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