Toms River Townhouses Damaged In Raging Fire

Two townhouses suffer major damage and two others affected by smoke and water during a blazing inferno in the Laurel Chase Community Monday.

Police and Firefighters say several townhouses were fully involved when they arrived at scene at Musketflower Court Monday afternoon.  Police Chief Mike Mastronardy says they received a call at 2:51 p.m. from a resident who reported a deck fire.

Mastronardy says no residents were inside the four affected townhouses but firefighters did rescue a cat in one of the units. Two firefighters also sustained minor injuries and were transported to Community Medical Center.

Mastronardy says all Toms River Fire Companies responded the fire including Toms River Fire Company 1 and 2 along with Silverton Fire Company, Pleasant Plains Fire Company, East Dover Fire Company and Ocean Beach. Also Firefighters from Manchester, Ridgeway, Lakewood, Beachwood, Island Heights, Brick and Seaside Heights also offered their assistance.

He says it took firefighters a half our to bring the blaze under control. Two of the units in the 4 unit three story complex suffered major damage and the other units suffered smoke and water damage.

The Fire is being investigated by Detective James Magovern and the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention.