Fire Ruins Lakehurst Home, 2 Firefighters Suffer Minor Injuries

LAKEHURST, NJ — Two firefighters were injured Tuesday while fighting a blaze that destroyed a Lakehurst home, police said.

The fire at the Center Street home is believed to have started in the kitchen, authorities said. It was reported at 2:49 a.m. and when Police Officers Madelyn Waltz and Harry Paul arrived, the home was fully involved. The residents had evacuated safely, police said.

Firefighters quickly brought it under control, preventing it from spreading to other nearby homes, however the home was severely damaged and the Manchester Township building inspector determined the house was uninhabitable. The residents are staying with family, police said.

The two firefighters were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Authorities said the preliminary investigation showed the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen and was accidental. The investigation by the Ocean County fire marshal's office and Lakehurst Police Officer Harry Paul is continuing.

The Lakehurst Fire Department responded, along with mutual aid from the Manchester, Ridgeway, Whiting, Toms River, Jackson and Joint Base fire departments. Also assisting were the Lakehurst Volunteer First Aid and the American Red Cross.

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