First Aid Squad Captain Rescued From Burning Toms River Home

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The captain of the Toms River First Aid Squad was rescued from her burning home in Toms River on Thursday in a blaze that significantly damaged the home.

The fire at East Rolling Hills Court was reported about 11 a.m. by a neighbor who saw flames and smoke coming from the garage, said Jillian Messina of the Toms River Fire Department.

When police and firefighters arrived, the garage was fully engulfed and there were reports of someone trapped inside.

Messina said neighbor Joe Mahon, Toms River Township workers Tim Dalton, Joe Hayward, Dave Gretkowski, and Toms River Police Officer Andrew Gannon were able to help the woman, identified by the Toms River First Aid Squad as the squad's captain, Alyssa Golembeski, to follow their voices to a rear window of the house and help her get out through that window. She suffered minor burns on her back and feet, according to the first aid squad. The squad has set up a GoFundme to help Golembeski and five family members with immediate needs for clothing and other items. (READ MORE: TR First Aid Squad Rallying To Help Captain, Family After Fire)

The fire was extinguished by 12:30 p.m., she said.

The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Toms River Police Department are investigating. Firefighters from all six Toms River companies responded, according to the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company.

Authorities were urging motorists to avoid the area of Clayton Avenue and Monroe Avenue, off Route 9 in the northern part of Toms River, while the fire is investigated.

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