Update: Blaze Extinguished at Grand Avenue Home
Bi-level suffers severe structural damage, two birds killed
Photos
A Grand Avenue resident rushed from work after learning a second-floor fire broke out in the bi-level home she shared with two relatives and several family pets.
No injuries were reported in the blaze that caused severe structural damage to the second floor of a bi-level between Lexington and Hadley avenues, said District 1 Fire Chief Sam Seaman. Two occupants at home at the time of the blaze exited safely.
However, the homeowners suffered the loss of several pets. Two birds died in the fire, and one of two cats was missing for about an hour before being found and returned to the third family member of the downtown Toms River home, officials said. A fifth pet, a ferret, is safe.
In the general alarm fire, the six Toms River fire companies plus a unit from Island Heights responded to the blaze at 4:54 p.m., Seaman said. Toms River Fire Co. No. 1 Chief Jeff Cirz arrived to find flames visible from the second floor after a neighbor saw the blaze and called 911 at 4:50. The fire was contained by 5:08 p.m.
Firefighters entered through the front door and worked their way up the stairs, down a hallway and into a bedroom, Seaman said.
"They went in with one hose line to the room of origin," Seaman said. The bedroom, hallway, adjacent bedroom and pull-down attic were all destroyed, and the fire damaged the soffit and some siding and roofing of the home.
For the hour after the flames were extinguished, firefighters used ladders to locate any remaining hotspots on the soffit and window frame while more crews worked inside the bedroom.
Toms River Police assisted the family, wrapping up the house's American flag and flagpole and presenting it to the residents and offering assistance as pets were located and temporary shelter could be ascertained for the residents.
Units were on scene through 6:30 p.m. as firefighters worked to overhaul the structure.
This breaking news report was updated at 5:30 and 11:30 p.m.
beaches
7:22 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
R.I.P. dear animals.
Ken G
10:02 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
NO! This fire was BAD! IT required much backup. I watched the whole scene happen,it required that ammount.
Anonymous1
10:17 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
John V... you wouldn't be saying that if it was your family so don't be saying it about mine.
No Name
11:32 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
So sorry to hear about your family's pets.
TRGary85
10:39 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
John V. Are you serious? These are volunteer firefighters, besides the cost of fuel to get the units to the scene what does this incident or the amount of companies have to do with you taxes. Whether you disagree or agree with the choices the board of fire commissioners make, that doesn't change the way fire departments operate throughout the united states. 7 fire companies does not mean there were a thousand firefighters an 100 trucks on scene. For the record there were 8 trucks and about 45 firefighters. I was able to see this in person and for the scale of the fire, I do not in the least feel this was excessive.
Anonymous member
11:50 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
How is turning down the fire budget going to help? That is an incredibly ignorant comment. An individual is mourning the loss of their pets, home, and possessions and you throw in that comment...are you serious
John V
12:00 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Your right, I do apologize, I'll confine my comments on the wasteful spending by the fire department to the Fire Election story.
barbara
6:00 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Thumbs Up to all the fire fighters and their quick actions and much sympathy for the family.
LA RUE
8:44 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
May God love and protect all of the firefighters through-out the world, for putting their lives on the line every day for others. Thank-you for all your devotion. The family is in my prayers.
MB
9:01 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
I saw the fire from my home, it was shocking to see such flames emerging from this home. The firefighters had it under control quickly, they did a wonderful job. My heart goes out to the family for all the loss of their pets and possesions. I hope you can repair damage to your home.
Overseer1
10:34 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
Great job guys - if it was my house I'd say send all you got and more....Thanks to all that Volunteer and hope this family recovers from their losses quickly.
TRFF
2:34 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
im a firefighter in tr and was there, we have a general alarm policy for daytime due to work hours of all volunteers. its always best to send more because you can always send them back if not needed but its always good to have more incase something goes wrong and its too late to call mutual aid. i take pride in serving the residence of tr when they are in need of help from the fire department and all of us tr firefighters appreciate all the residence support. we train very hard to protect the residence of tr and will be there for all.
LA RUE
8:54 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
TRFF......Any one who states "Why did they have to send so many firefighters" to any fire, is nothing more than an "IDIOT", and you shouldn't have to define their "IDIOCY" I thank you and all of your fellow firefighters for the devotion and service you all give to our community.May God Bless you all.
Jackie Bramlett
7:57 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
My name is Jackie Bramlett and the proud widow of a Toms River FIre Co#2 Volunteer FIrefighter. For the negative remarks on this page,shame shame shame on you. Have you ever missed time with your family on holidays because you were out on a call,or was at the firehouse on standby for days because of a snowstorm, have you ever had to wake up in the middle of the night in the freezing cold answer a call and wake up two hours laterand go to work. Did you miss your kids graduation because you were out helping save a life. Toms River has the best trained volunteer department in New Jersey. GOOD JOB TOMS RIVER VOLUNTEERS. For the negative comments hiding beind a? Or with your made up names to hide behind,why dont you go volunteer for one day and walk in their shoes.
LA RUE
9:07 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
Jackie....Your husband was and will always be a "HERO". I come from a family of Police, Firefighters, Priests and Nuns. There will always be the other side that has something ^*)#@( to say. I'm so proud to be in a family with such giving and loving people that give back so much to others.Believe me.....most people can read and see through foolish and ignorant comments. May God Bless you and your family.
mike
8:01 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
i am a firefighter in toms river and its hard doing what we do and what jackie siad is right i like to see everone do what we do for a week and ull be like dame its hard. i have dane doing it for 5 year and i love it and i love helping people in toms river