Whitty Road House Fire In Toms River Home Ruled Accidental

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Whitty Road house fire that resulted in injuries to two firefighters on Saturday has been ruled accidental, Toms River fire officials said Wednesday.

Matthew Janora, chief inspector with the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, said the fire inspection report has not been finalized, but said investigators have ruled it accidental.

"We believe the fire started in the area of a heat lamp and extension cord in the rear of the house," Janora said.

He said the report was anticipated to be finalized later in the week.

Two firefighters were injured battling the three-alarm fire that was reported about 4:50 a.m. Saturday and took five hours to bring under control, officials said. It caused the roof to partially collapse, officials said.

The residents escaped the fire, and several of their pets were rescued, fire officials said.

Several pet birds perished in the fire, the Asbury Park Press reported.

The injured firefighters were treated and released on Saturday, fire officials said.