TOMS RIVER – The fire that destroyed a Silverton home and claimed its resident was determined to be accidental.
The fire began on Feb. 7 shortly before 11 p.m. at the 15th Street home. High winds made the fire more difficult to extinguish. It spread to the four surrounding homes.
Two adults and three children were home at the time of the fire. The adult male and three children evacuated the residence, but one woman remained inside, according to emergency personnel at the scene.
An investigation ensued, made up of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit. They determined that the cause of the fire was accidental and the victim died as a result of smoke inhalation and fire-related injuries.
Police and firefighters had attempted to rescue the woman inside, but were unsuccessful.
“Although the victim’s identity has been reported by several media outlets and the Lakewood Board of Education, we are in the process of confirming same through medical records. Please keep in mind what this family is going through at this time. This is a tragedy that no family should ever have to deal with,” Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
Friends and relatives have reached out to Jersey Shore Online and other local media outlets confirming that Sara Trahey, an elementary school librarian and mother of three young children, was lost in the fire.
A GoFundMe page was started Saturday afternoon to raise money for the family.
The page reads “It is with great sadness to announce the sudden and tragic passing of Sara Trahey. Sara was the loving wife of Jeff, and the mother of three (3) beautiful children ages, 2, 7 and 9. Sara was loved and respected in the community, and her death has left a hole in our hearts and lives. Sara was the media specialist at Ella G Clarke Elementary School and touched the lives of so many children.”
To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.
