Fatal House Fire Under Investigation In Lacey: Prosecutor

LACEY, NJ — Authorities are investigating a house fire Friday evening in Lacey that left a 75-year-old man dead.

Police and firefighters went to a Signal Street home shortly before 6 p.m. Jan. 3 for a reported house fire, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

"Extreme fire behavior and weather conditions upon arrival made fireground operations challenging throughout the night," the Bayville Volunteer Fire Department, which assisted with suppression and overhaul efforts, said.

The homeowner, Edward Teixeira, was found outside the house covered in serious burns, Billhimer said.

Teixeira was taken to Community Medical Center where he died from his injuries the following day, Billhimer said.

Investigation found that the fire began at the front exterior entrance on the south side of the structure. The cause of the fire is unknown as of Sunday afternoon, but Billhimer said that accidental causes cannot be ruled out.