Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on July 20, 2023, at approximately 1:50 p.m., the Berkeley Township Police Department and Berkeley Township Fire Departments were dispatched to a structure fire at 1 Miles Pond Road in Berkeley Township. During fire suppression efforts, the deceased body of a 77 year-old female victim was discovered in the dining room of the structure.
A thorough and extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Berkeley Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, determined that the fire originated in the kitchen of the structure – more specifically in the dishwasher – and that a failure of energized electrical equipment cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental.
“We have been unable to locate any next of kin for the victim that perished in this fire. Anyone in possession of information concerning this victim who resided at 1 Miles Pond Rd., including any family members, please contact Detective John Doran of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3524,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Berkeley Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this fire suppression and investigation.