Victim Identified In Fatal Long Branch Fire: Officials

LONG BRANCH, N.J. — Officials have identified the victim of a fatal fire from early Friday morning in Long Branch. Thomas Booth III, 67, was pronounced dead after officials removed him from him home on 135 Charles St., the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday morning.

Officials removed Booth from his home and performed CPR on him after the fire was reported at about 2:07 a.m., the MCPO said. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m., according to officials.

A post-mortem exam is scheduled for later Friday. Officials deemed the fire under control at 2:34 a.m. The fire started in the rear apartment, according to ABC7.

"Police officers who arrived initially were able to find one person in the rear apartment and were able to drag him out up into the front yard and they were performing CPR on him upon our arrival," Chief Kevin Stout told News12.

There did not appear to be working smoke detectors, according to the reports. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Here are videos of the scene:

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