2 Firefighters Injured As Blaze Destroys Manchester Home

MANCHESTER, NJ — Two firefighters were injured Friday night battling a blaze that destroyed a home in Pine Lake Park, Manchester police said Saturday.

The fire at a home on Birmingham Avenue in the Pine Lake Park section was reported at 11:47 p.m., Manchester Capt. James Komsa said.

The homeowner was able to escape the house before first responders arrived and was not hurt, Komsa said. The firefighters, who suffered injuries that were not life-threatening, were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for treatment and later released, he said.

The house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and authorities evacuated residents in nearby homes as a precaution while the fire was fought.

Birmingham Avenue was closed to traffic and a portion of the street was without electrical service for several hours as a result of the fire, Komsa said.

The Manchester Volunteer Fire Company responded, assisted by members of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Toms River Volunteer Fire Company, and the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company. Manchester Township EMS also responded, as did the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and Detective Emmons of the Manchester Township Police Department.