Fire Leaves Ocean Beach Home Uninhabitable, Toms River Fire Official Says

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A fire in an electrical panel left a Toms River home uninhabitable Tuesday morning, a fire official said.

There were no injuries reported.

The fire on East Pelican Way in the Ocean Beach section was reported about 7:30 a.m. by a neighbor who saw smoke in the area, said Matthew Janora, chief inspector for the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention.

Ocean Beach Fire Company firefighters arrived and found flames coming from the home, which was not occupied at the time of the fire, Janora said.

Fire crews were able to quickly bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading beyond the house but it severely damaged the house.

The Toms River Building Department has deemed the house unsafe for occupancy, Janora said.

Inspector Benjamin Carlin of the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention is investigating but preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental and started in the area of the electrical service to the house, Janora said.

Responding and assisting agencies included Ocean Beach Fire Company, Seaside Heights Fire Department, Seaside Park Fire Department, Lavellette Fire Department, East Dover Fire Company, Toms River Fire Company 2, and the Toms River Police Department.

"We thank all fire companies involved and our mutual aid, police, and support agencies for their prompt response and continued cooperation," he said.