2 Hurt As Trash Fire Damages Holly Oak Home In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Two people ere injured Tuesday in a fire that left their home in the Holly Oaks section of Manchester uninhabitable, police said.

Caroline Karmazin, 75, and a 17-year-old girl who lives with her were taken to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood for treatment, Manchester Police Capt. Vincent Manco said.

Karmazin suffered smoke inhalation and a minor burn to her hand trying to contain the fire, which started on the back porch of the house and was reported shortly before 9 a.m., Manco said. The teen suffered smoke inhalation, he said. Both had escaped the home by the time police arrived at the fire, he said.

There were smoke and flames coming from the back of the house on Steiner Road when authorities arrived, and police and Upon arrival, smoke and flames were observed emanating from the rear exterior of the residence and Robert Baran, Manchester Director of Emergency Services, used fire extinguishing devices to contain the flames until Manchester firefighters could arrive and put it out.

The back of the house sustained extensive fire and water damage and the Manchester building inspector subsequently deemed the residence uninhabitable, Manco said.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the fire originated on the rear porch and possibly was the result of improperly discarded smoking material into a trash can, he said.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, Whiting Volunteer Fire Company, Ocean County Fire Marshal, Manchester Township Building Department, Manchester Township OEM and the American Red Cross.