100 Forced From Toms River Apartments By Thanksgiving Fire

TOMS RIVER, NJ — About 100 residents were forced to evacuate early Thanksgiving morning after a fire broke out at the Highland Plaza Apartments, Toms River police said.

Toms River Fire Company 1 officials said an automated alarm was received at 6:55 a.m., and firefighters saw smoke coming from an apartment window on the fourth floor of the five-story building.

The fire forced evacuation of about 100 residents, said Jillian Messina of the Toms River Police Department. The Toms River School District provided buses and took the evacuees to temporary shelter at Toms River High School South because of the frigid temperatures.

There were some residents who suffered minor smoke inhalation at the scene, she said.

All Toms River fire companies responded to the fire, along with Toms River police and detectives and the Bureau of Fire Prevention.

"Crews made an aggressive interior attack and contained the fire to the apartment of origin, subsequently extinguishing it," fire officials said. "Extensive ventilation and overhaul operations were undertaken as well."

Also responding were the East Dover, Pleasant Plains, Silverton Fire, Island Heights, Toms River EMS Squad 39, East Dover EMS Squad 18, Toms River Career EMS, Brick Twp. EMS, Toms River OEM, and Ocean County Sheriff's Department.

The fire remains under investigation.

Photos by Toms River Fire Company 1