Ortley Beach Fire Destroys Home, Damages 2 Others

TOMS RIVER, NJ — One home was destroyed and two others suffered significant damage early Friday in the Ortley Beach section after a vehicle caught fire near one home, Toms River authorities said.

No one was injured in the fire that was reported at 12:20 a.m. said John Novak, chief fire inspector for the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention. Novak said the homeowner escaped the fire on Fielder Avenue.

Novak said the cause of the fire was under investigation but did not appear to be suspicious.

Family members said the home belongs to Barry and Ileana Ingram. Barry Ingram was home with the couple's dog, Jack; Ileana Ingram was away. In a GoFundme campaign set up to help with immediate expenses after the fire destroyed everything they had in the home, the couple's family said they had lost their previous home during Superstorm Sandy.

"They already had to rebuild their lives and home just shy of 10 years ago when the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy tore through their section of Ortley Beach," the family said.

The family said Barry Ingram was awakened by a loud bang and saw from his third-floor window that his truck was fully engulfed in flames in the driveway and was growing rapidly because of strong winds.

"He grabbed Jack and his cell phone, and left through the storm door on the third floor, thankfully making it out of the house and to the ground floor safely," the family said.

Novak said the Seaside Heights and Ocean Beach fire companies responded along with Toms River police, and as the fire was quickly spreading to the homes on either side, called in extra help from other fire companies. It was declared under control about 2 a.m.

The Ingrams lost their home and two vehicles that were in the driveway, Novak said. The home on one side suffered damage to the exterior wall and attic, along with severe damage to a Kia Soul that was parked in the driveway. The home on the other side had damage to the exterior wall and smoke throughout the interior.

The Ingrams' home was known as the pirate ship house, the family said.

"Barry was responsible for their house being known by locals and renters alike as the pirate ship house, adorning their decks, fences, and outdoor spaces with pirate flags, kites, buoys, and anything else nautical that he could nail, screw, or zip tie to any available surface," the family wrote. "Their home brought an immediate smile to both adults’ and children’s faces alike that would drive or walk by, and the home they had created would draw complete strangers in for photos and chats that could last for hours and develop into lifelong friendships."

"As everyone has been asking what they can do to aid them practically, we have set up this fundraiser to help them as they start to recover," the family said. Anyone who would like to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign can find it here.

The fire is under investigation by Fire Inspectors Ryan LaVigne and Richard Foster from the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention and Toms River Police Department Patrolman Scott Fallano, Novak said.

He said the following volunteer fire companies responded:

• Ocean Beach Volunteer Fire Company
• Seaside Heights Fire Department
• Seaside Park Station 45 Volunteer Fire Company
• Lavallette Fire Department
• Toms River Fire Dept., Company #1
• Toms River Fire Company 2
• East Dover Fire Company
• Island Heights Volunteer Fire Co. 1
• Pleasant Plains Vol. Fire Department
• Silverton Volunteer Fire Company
• Brenton Woods Fire Company (Coverage Assignment)
• Manitou Park Fire Company (Coverage Assignment)

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