Man Rescues Brothers From Burning Brick Home: Police

BRICK, NJ — A man who saw flames coming from a Brick Township home broke into the home and woke the two brothers who lived there, helping them safely escape the blaze, Brick police said.

Victor Diaz told police he was drving by the home at 258 Montclair Dr. early Wednesday morning when he saw the area near the front door was on fire, Brick Sgt. Neal Pedersen said. Diaz told police he banged on the door on the side of the home to get the residents' attention and when they didn't respond, force the door open.

Diaz found Ronald Colasurdo asleep in tbe rear bedroom of the home and told him about the fire, Pedersen said. Ronald Colasurdo told Diaz his brother, Donald Colasurdo, was sleeping in the front bedroom, and Diaz made his way to that room and woke Donald and helped him safely escape, Pedersen said.

All three men were outside the home when Patrolmen Byers, Storch, DeLuca, Docherty and Sgt. Olsen responded to the report of the fire, which came in at 12:40 a.m., Pedersen said.

All three were treated at the scene, Pedersen said; Diaz told police there was heavy smoke in the front of the house, he said.

Police helped evacuate neighboring homes while firefighters battled the blaze in the Colasurdos' home, Pedersen said. Investigators said it appeared an electrical fire and was not believed to be suspicious, he said.

All four of the Brick Township fire companies responded along with assistance from fire companies in Point Pleasant Boro, Howell and Brielle, Pedersen said. Brick Township Police EMS responded and were assisted by the Point Pleasant Boro First Aid Squad.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, with one treated at the scene and another taken to Ocean Medical Center, where he was treated and released, Pedersen said.

Brick Township Fire Bureau Investigator Robert Kurilla and Brick Township Police Detectives Ken Steinberg and Detective Brian Lash are investigating, he said.

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