TOMS RIVER – Officers rescued a homeowner and her pets from a late-night fire that destroyed her home.
The Loxley Drive house caught fire on January 28. Police responded to the first call at around 11:30 p.m. When they got there, the two-story house was ablaze.
Officer Rebecca Sayegh forced her way through the front door and found the homeowner in the foyer. She had been unable to open the door and get out because of the heavy smoke.
Officer Sayegh confirmed there were no other people inside and escorted the homeowner and her pets to a neighbor’s house. There, she was treated by Toms River EMS.
Because of the strong winds, officers evacuated surrounding homes.
Multiple first responders arrived: fire companies 1 and 2 in Toms River, East Dover, Silverton, Pleasant Plains, and Island Heights Fire Department, as well as Brick Township Fire and EMS Mass Care Response Team. Toms River Police Detectives Roger Hull and Travis Seaman arrived along with Toms River Fire Inspectors Matthew Janora and Dana Mitchell.
The Toms River Department of Public Works sanded and salted the roadway because it was cold enough out to freeze the water being used to combat the fire.
One firefighter suffered a minor injury during the night and was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, but it is believed to be accidental.
