Fire Forces 20 People From Apartments In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — A wind-fueled blaze damaged eight apartments in the Suncrest Village complex in Manchester on Thursday, leaving 20 people homeless, Manchester police said.

One resident was treated for smoke inhalation but declined further medical attention, Manchester Lt. Chris Cerullo said. There were no other injuries reported, he said.

Flames and smoke from the fire on Gable Circle were rising from the attic and a second-floor apartment when authorities responded to the 911 call at 10:31 a.m., Cerullo said.

Police confirmed that apartment, which was fully engulfed, had no residents inside and then evacuated the surrounding apartments while firefighters worked to fight the fire, he said.

Strong winds made it difficult but the firefighters were able to stop the fire before it spread to adjacent buildings or a wooded area surrounding the complex, he said. Multiple apartments in the eight-unit building sustained extensive damage, Cerullo said.

Traffic in the apartment complex was affected for about two hours while crews worked to control the blaze and keep residents and other apartments safe, he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but Cerullo said the initial findings indicate it was accidental. Manchester Township police, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and Ocean County Fire Marshals Office are investigating.

The Manchester Township Fire Department, Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Joint Base Fire Department, and Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Department responded along with EMTs from Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services.

The Red Cross of New Jersey responded to assist the residents of the damaged building with temporary lodging, food, clothing, and other immediate needs, the agency said.