December 9, 2022

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ (OCEAN)–Police say that yesterday December 8. 2022 at 9:30 p.m., Berkeley Township Police Officers were dispatched to Southamton Rd in the Silver Ridge Section of Berkeley Township for a reported structure fire. Patrolman Richard Zieser was the first officer on scene and notified dispatch that the house and several vehicles were fully engulfed.

Patrolman Zieser and Patrolman Tasso immediately made sure that all occupants of the residence as well as surrounding residences were evacuated to safety.

The Manitou Park Fire Department, Bayville Fire Department, Pinewald Pioneer Fire Department and the Toms River Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the blaze.

Berkeley Township EMS and South Toms River EMS assisted on scene and transported the homeowners to Community Medical Center for smoke inhalation.

The Fire was investigated by Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office as well as Berkeley Township Detectives.

Preliminary investigation indicated the fire to have been accidental. The fire appeared to have started in the garage of the residence before spreading to the rest of the house and to the vehicles located in the driveway.

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