MANCHESTER – A massive inferno. That’s how township police best described a fire that destroyed a home, killing nine cats in the process.
Manchester Township Police Captain Vincent Manco said the blaze broke out Sunday afternoon just before 2 p.m.
Fire crews from Manchester, Ridgeway, Whiting, Lakehurst and the Joint Base responded to the scene at 13 Rabbit Court in the Pine Ridge section of town.
When police and firefighters arrived, they observed smoke and flames emanating from the side of the residence. They immediately confirmed that the lone resident of the household was not inside, but that several family pets were.
Once the fire was extinguished, officials learned that nine cats perished in the blaze.
EMT’s from Quality Medical Transport also responded.
There were no injuries reported at the scene.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this point but a full investigation is now underway by the Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office and Manchester Police Detective Adam Emmons.
