South Toms River Man Hospitalized After House Fire

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A South Toms River man is recovering at a burn center after he was seriously injured in a house fire that firefighters fought in extreme heat on Saturday, officials said.

The fire on Annapolis Court that happened about 12:30 p.m. left the home uninhabitable, officials said. The man was the only person home at the time and while he was able to get out of the house on his own, he was seriously burned, officials said. He was flown to St. Barnabas Burn Center in Livingston and is in stable condition, Manitou Park Fire Company Lt. Joseph Vanderveen said.

Three firefighters were injured fighting the blaze, Vanderveen said.

The man's daughter, Madeleine Tutela, created a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the costs of his treatment after the fire.

"As many know we lost our home in a fire yesterday afternoon," Tutela wrote. "My dad was severely injured and will be at a burn center in Livingston for quite some time. My dad is my best friend and I’m sure many can say the same."

South Toms River EMS officials, in a Facebook post, said smoke from the fire was noticed by one of the squad's EMTs during a public event at the first aid station. EMS Chief Robert Krohn and the EMS squad drove toward the smoke, which was around the corner from the first aid station.

Krohn, who is a paid firefighter in Plumsted and a volunteer in Toms River, arrived to find neighbors screaming into the front door of the home for a resident who was still inside, South Toms River EMS officials said. Krohn put on his firefighting gear (which was in his vehicle) and went to aid the man, but he was able to make it out of the house under his own power, officials said.

The family's dog also was believed to be inside the house, and Krohn tried to go in to search but was turned back by heavy smoke. He tried again when Manitou Park Fire Chief William Roberts arrived with a breathing apparatus and a thermal imaging camera, and two other firefighters, East Dover Fire Company Lt. Kyle Reid and Toms River Assistant Fire Chief Gary Simone Jr., joined the search but were not able to find the dog, the EMS post said. Reid also is a South Toms River EMS volunteer.

The fire was extinguished and of the three injured firefighters, two had minor burns and the third was treated at Community Medical Center for heat exhaustion and released, officials said. Several other firefighters — the EMS squad estimated 15-20 — suffered heat-related illnesses and were able to resume on scene operations after a short rest.

As firefighters including Manitou Fire Company Ladder Truck 1835 brought the fire under control, the family's dog ran out of the house and was caught by firefighters at the front door. The dog was taken by South Toms River EMS to an emergency animal hospital "with the family members on the scene in our First Responder Vehicle," the EMS said.

The fire was extinguished by Manitou Park Volunteer Fire Company, Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company, Bayville Volunteer Fire Department, Toms River Fire Company 2, Beachwood Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company 1.

South Toms River EMS and South Toms River police responded.

Vanderveen said Beachwood Vol. Fire Department, Pine Beach Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Toms River Fire Company 2, Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasant Plains Vol. Fire Department, Berkeley Township Police Department EMS Division, Toms River Police EMS IAFF Local 4846, Brick Township Police Emergency Medical Services, Manchester Division of Emergency Services, and the Ocean County EMS Coordinators also assisted on the scene and in covering two of the fire company stations.

The Beachwood Police Department assisted with traffic control as fire companies were was responding.

"We faced many challenges at this incident which required additional manpower as we also had to battle the high temperatures we were experiencing," Vanderveen said.

The Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s CSI, and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Arson Division were investigating the fire.

Vanderveen and the South Toms River EMS said emergency personnel received help from Luigi Deli Meat Market, which donated water, Gatorade, ice, and other refreshments to make sure the firefighters were all properly hydrated, and ShopRite of Bayville donated several cases of water as well.

"We are very humbled by the care our community showed here," South Toms River EMS said.

"Today was a challenging day for our responders due to the Heat index, Fire Conditions, and stress of the scene, our heart goes out to the family today who sadly had a major property loss and suffered injuries to a loved one," South Toms River EMS said.

If you wish to donate to the GoFundMe campaign to help the Tutelas, click here.

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