Update: Nine Adults, Two Children Injured in Eatontown Apartment Fire

Nine residents, including two children, were injured in a fire that broke out early Friday morning at an Eatontown apartment complex, police said.

Two Eatontown firefighters were also injured fighting the early morning blaze at the Garrison Apartments, police said.

Some residents escaped the fire by climbing through a window to a fire department ladder.

The building has been deemed uninhabitable, and a preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire was accidental, police said.

The fire at 3 Throckmorton Avenue was reported at 12:37 a.m.

According to a news release from Eatontown police:

When Sgt. David Brown and Officer Ryan Braswell arrived, the hall was filled with heavy smoke and there was fire in one of the third-floor apartments. The officers tried to get the residents out of the building, but the smoke and fire prevented their escape.

Eatontown firefighters then used a ladder to rescue several of the trapped residents.

Two firefighters went into the third-floor apartment, where police believe the fire began. They rescued the resident, who was trapped inside.

That woman, a 69-year-old, suffered second- and third-degree burns on 80 to 90 percent of her body. She was initially taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, but then transferred to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.

A 78-year-old woman was taken to Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank for treatment of chest pains.

Seven other residents, including two children, were taken to Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Riverview, and Jersey Shore for treatment of smoke inhalation.

Two Eatontown firemen, who also suffered smoke inhalation, were taken to Monmouth Medical Center.

One cat died in the fire, and at least one other pet was reported missing.

The Eatontown, Oceanport, West Long Branch, Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury and Neptune fire departments, Eatontown, and West Long Branch first aid squads, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office responded.

The local Red Cross chapter also came to the scene to assist.

All of the displaced residents have either been relocated to nearby hotels or are staying with family and friends.

The fire was contained to the third-floor. Several apartments and the roof of the building sustained heavy damage. Utilities have been shut off, and the Fire Marshal’s Office declared the building uninhabitable.

A preliminary investigation by the Monmouth County and Eatontown Fire Marshal’s offices indicates the fire was accidental.

Photo: Eatontown Fire Department Facebook page