Family Loses Toms River Home To Fire While Attending Funeral, Friend Says

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A two-alarm fire tore through a home on Aldo Drive Thursday morning while the residents were attending a family funeral, leaving three people and their dog homeless, authorities said.

There were no injuries, said Matthew Janora, chief inspector for the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention.

The family dog had been rescued from the home before firefighters arrived, he said.

The fire was reported about 9:30 a.m. and firefighters from Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, along with Pleasant Plains Fire Department and East Dover Fire Company responded.

They found smoke and flames emanating from the two-story home, with the bulk of the fire at the back of the house and in the roof and attic, Janora said.

Firefighters quickly deployed two 1¾-inch handlines while additional arriving crews searched to make sure no one was inside, Janora said, and additional crews and mutual aid were called in.

The fire is being investigated by Inspectors Britton, Oeskovic, and Kappock, Janora said. The circumstances appear to be accidental, he said.

The Red Cross of New Jersey responded to help the family with temporary lodging, food, clothing, and other immediate needs, Red Cross officials said.

A GoFundMe campaign set up by a friend of the family said they have been told it will be at least a year before they are able to return to their home to live in it.

"Ally and her family were attending her grandma's funeral," Rebecca Hansson, who identified herself as Ally's best friend, wrote on the GoFundMe. "The emotional toll of losing their home on top of saying goodbye to a loved one is unimaginable."

Those who wish to donate to the GoFundMe can do so here.

Janora thanked "all fire companies involved and thank our mutual aid, police, and EMS partners for their support and assistance."