Man Burned, Dog Killed in Wednesday Night Camper Fire

A man suffered burns and a dog died in a Wednesday night camper fire on Water Street, according to police.

A flash fire is believed to have sparked from accidental contact between gasoline and the camper's carburetor at about 10 p.m., said Toms River Police Detective Thomas DiMichele

Camper owner Neal Cowe of Georgia was thrown out of the 1984 Ambassador RV’s driver side door and was treated at Community Medical Center in Toms River for burns, according to Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy.

A dog inside of the camper at the time died, the chief said.

Toms River Fire Companies No. 1 and 2 responded and traffic was detoured at Hooper Avenue and Washington Street for about two hours as they battled the blaze at 96 East Water Street. The camper was totally destroyed, Mastronardy said.

Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention Inspector Kiernan Flynn is investigating the incident, according to the chief.