Two Manchester Residents Die In House Blaze

A fire recently broke out in the Renaissance development that took the lives of two elderly residents. The cause is under investigation. (Photo courtesy Manchester Police)

MANCHESTER – Two elderly residents passed away as a result of a fire that engulfed their home in the Renaissance development of town on September 15.

Manchester Police responded to the fully engulfed fire on Ignatius Drive around 8:27 p.m. and saw flames protruding from the roof. Neighbors advised the responding officers that the two homeowners were still inside, but they were unable to enter due to overwhelming heat, smoke and fire conditions.

Officers evacuated several neighboring homes as a precaution. Firefighters from Whiting, Manchester, Ridgeway, Lakehurst Borough, Pleasant Plains and Toms River #1 and #2 Fire Departments responded to the scene to extinguish the fire. The Manchester Township building inspector, JCP&L and NJ Natural Gas also assisted at the scene.

After the fire was put out, the two residents, 82-year-old June Hollander and her husband, 84-year-old Warren Hollander, were found deceased in the master bedroom.

Two firemen were treated at the scene for minor injuries by Quality Medical Transport and Manchester First Aid. Another fireman was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for additional treatment and evaluation.

The home was destroyed as a result of the fire and several neighboring homes suffered minor heat damage.

The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Manchester Police Detective Adam Emmons.