El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en agosto 1, 2023, aproximadamente a 12:30 pm., a structure fire with entrapment was reported on Buttonwood Drive in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township. A la llegada, emergency personnel discovered a fully engulfed two-story structure fire. A female victim was rescued from the rear of the structure; she was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. Reports indicated that there were four additional victims inside the structure. Attempts were made to rescue these victims, but the roof of the structure collapsed – forcing firefighters to evacuate.
“This is an absolutely tragic situation. Sadly, four of the occupants of the residence perished in this fire. An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is being conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Unit, Oficina de detectives del Departamento de Policía de Lacey Township, Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, Oficina del Jefe de Bomberos del Condado de Ocean, and New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office. More information will be released as it becomes available,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer.