House Fire That Killed Wall Man Ruled Accidental

A fire Sunday in the West Belmar section that destroyed a home and killed the home’s resident has been ruled an accident, Wall police said.

Wall Police Chief Robert Brice said investigators determined the fire was started by “improper disposition of smoking materials,” but did not specify what kind of smoking material it was.

The fire killed Joel P. Coutinho, 53, Brice said. Coutinho had previously been identified by neighbors, who said he was the sole occupant of the home.

Brice said firefighters from the West Belmar Fire Company, along with Wall police, Wall Township First Aid, and MONOC paramedics responded to the report of a house fire on Vine Street about 1 a.m. Sunday.

Reports at the scene were that the sole occupant of the residence was still believed to be inside. The fire was extinguished by members of the West Belmar, Glendola, and South Wall Fire companies, and afterward, Coutinho’s body was found inside the home, Brice said.

The Wall Township Police Detective Bureau, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Wall Township Fire Prevention Bureau investigated, he said.