Mother, 2 Children Escape, Pets Rescued From Toms River Fire

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A mother and two children escaped injury and their pets were rescued when their home caught fire early Friday morning in Toms River, fire officials said.

Smoke detectors that sounded alerted the family and allowed them to escape, said Kevin Esposito, chief fire inspector with the Toms River Fire PreventiuonBureau of Fire Prevention. Lt. Robert Krohn and Firefighter Nick Cirz from Toms River Fire Company No. 2 were able to rescue the pets, a cat and dog, and both animals were doing well, Esposito said.

The fire at 646 Brookside Dr. was reported at 1:47 a.m., he said, and was brought under control in 30 minutes, he said. Toms River Fire Companies 1 and 2 responded along with East Dover Fire Company, and received support from the Silverton Fire Company, Pleasant Plains Fire Company and Island Heights Fire Company, he said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The fire companies also thanked Ocean Beach Fire Company for covering Station 28 and for Beachwood & Manitou Park fire companies for covering Station 26-1.

Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of a home officials said. For more information about fire safety, contact the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention at (732) 240-5153 or online at www.trfireprevention.com.

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