Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 13, 2026, at approximately 1:20 a.m., the Stafford Township Police and Fire Departments responded to a residential structure fire on Yeoman Road. Responding emergency personnel discovered heavy fire conditions and reports of entrapment. Preliminary investigation revealed that two individuals were able to escape the fire. The first individual was transported to Temple University Burn Center in Philadelphia where he is listed in stable condition. The second individual was transported to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and is likewise listed in stable condition. A third individual, identified as Betty Matero, 92, was unable to escape the fire and succumbed to her injuries.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Stafford Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Stafford Township Fire Prevention Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that the fire originated on the southeast exterior wall, specifically within an outdoor storage container. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental – likely resulting from a failure of lithium-ion batteries.
On February 13, 2026, a post-mortem examination of Ms. Matero was performed by the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Medical Examiner ruled Ms. Matero’s cause of death to be smoke inhalation, and the manner of death to be accidental.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Stafford Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Stafford Township Fire Prevention Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.