2 Firefighters Hurt, Multiple Pets Die In Toms River House Fire

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Two firefighters were injured and several animals died early Saturday in a three-alarm house fire on Whitty Road, Toms River fire officials said.

The fire was reported about 4:50 a.m., and it took five hours to bring under control, officials with the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention said. It caused the roof to partially collapse, officials said.

The residents and multiple pet cats, dogs and birds were inside the home at the time of the fire, officials said. The residents escaped the fire, and multiple animals were rescued.

Two firefighters were injured during the fire but have been treated for their injuries and released from medical care, officials said. They did not identify the fire company or companies of the injured firefighters.

"Unfortunately, an unknown number of animals perished in the fire," officials said.

The Pleasant Plains and Silverton fire departments were the first to respond, and were assisted by multiple fire companies from within and outside Toms River, including:

East Dover, Toms River Fire Company 1, Toms River Fire Company 2, Ocean Beach Fire Company, Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department, Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company, Breton Woods Fire Company, Pioneer Hose Company, Herbertsville Fire Company, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Island Heights Volunteer Fire Company, and Seaside Heights Fire Department, along with the Toms River Police Department, Toms River Police EMS and Brick Township Police EMS.

The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention and Toms River police are investigating the cause of the fire.