Holmdel Police Blotter

A fire at a Holmdel home was caused by a faulty dehumidifier, police say.

According to a news release from Lt. Keith Cannata:

Aug. 23

Around 2:35 a.m. Holmdel police and firefighters responded to a 911 call, reporting a fire with heavy smoke at an Everett Road home. Holmdel firefighters arrived, and with the assistance of Holmdel patrol officers and the Middletown Fire Department, they quickly contained and extinguished the fire. The investigation revealed that the cause of the fire was a faulty dehumidifier located in the basement of the residence. No injuries were reported. There was minor smoke and water damage.

Aug. 22

Around 2 p.m., Patrolmen John Maguire and Rocco Quaglia responded to the Kohl’s Shopping Plaza located off Route 35 for a report of an unresponsive 79-year-old man, who was in his vehicle and was not breathing. A male subject who located the victim reported that CPR was in progress. The victim was pronounced dead by medics at the scene. The investigation into the cause of death of the victim is active, pending the results of the toxicology report.