Retired Brick Police Officer Loses Home To Fire

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A retired Brick Township police officer has been left to pick up the pieces after a fire in Leisure Village East destroyed his home on Saturday, the officer's family says.

Phil Milder, who turned 80 on Sunday, was not home when the fire started in his home on Inverness Court, Lakewood police said. No one was injured in the fire that destroyed Milder's home and damaged nearby homes.

Smoke from the fire could be seen for miles, according to social media posts.

"There’s nothing left in his house, all it is now is just a shell of smoldering wood and ash," wrote Geno Zielinski, who created a GoFundme campaign to help his grandfather get basic items to replace what he lost.

"I’m trying to help my grandfather out to help him get back to his feet and be able to create his new home the way he wants with all new stuff and make it a lot better for him," Zielinski wrote.

Milder was one of the earliest members of the Brick Township Police Department, hired in September 1973, the second year of the department's existence. Milder, whose badge was No. 27, was a patrolman on the force for 21 years, retiring in December 1994, according to Brick Township police records.

"If you know anyone who used to live in Brick and are about that age, say 'Phil Milder,' and they’ll all know who it is," Zielinski wrote. "If it wasn’t for my grandpa, me and my family wouldn’t be where we are today."

Zielinski said the fire destroyed photos of his mother and uncle amd "everything my grandma had to offer."

The cause of the fire is under investigation but Lakewood police did not say it was suspicious.

"I hope he can start a new life," Zielinski wrote.

Those interested in contributing to the GoFundme can go here for more information.

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