Shelter Cove Home Severely Damaged in Fire

A home in Toms River's Shelter Cove neighborhood was severely damaged by an overnight fire, officials said.

The East Dover and Silverton fire companies were the first to respond to the 3:20 a.m. blaze that occurred at the home at 101 Binnacle Lane, according to Jim Mercready, Director of Toms River Fire Prevention.

"The house suffered severe fire damage and flames were visible through the roof upon the arrival of the fire department," said Mercready.

Firefighters used manual hose streams as well as master stream devices to suppress the fire, said Mercready. The fire ultimately elicited a mutual aid response from the Toms River Fire Company #2, Island Heights and Pleasant Plains fire companies.

Crews from Toms River Public Works responded to apply salt on icy roadways in the area caused by water used to fight the fire that turned to ice due to the sub-freezing temperature. No injuries were reported.

The response from firefighters was conducted under the direction of Captain Tim Zieser of the East Dover Fire Company, said Mercready.

The cause and origin investigation into the fire will be conducted by the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, Mercready said, and in the meantime, the house has been declared an unsafe structure and uninhabitable due to the extent of damage caused by the fire.

In recent days, according to Mercready, fire companies around town have also been busy responding to breaks in domestic water and fire sprinkler systems due to freeze-ups attributed to the extremely cold temperatures that have affected the area this week.