Ocean County Fire: Neighbor’s Actions Save Lives of Residents

Ocean County Fire: Neighbor's Actions Save Lives of Residents

Thanks to fire alarms and a neighbor who pounded on the windows, two people were able to escape a house fire in Manchester on Sunday night without being hurt, Manchester police said on Monday.

About 10:20 p.m., Wilfredo Ramos and Ada Meacham informed police that they were asleep in their bedroom when they heard the neighbor hammering on their windows and the fire alarms, according to Capt. Albert Vega. According to Vega, the neighbor had witnessed the flames from the other side of the dead end.

According to Vega, their two cats died in the fire.

When Manchester police and firemen arrived at the fire on Darien Court in Whiting's Crestwood Village neighborhood, they saw the single-family home completely destroyed by flames, according to Vega. The flames were seen flying into the sky in images released by Whiting Fire Company.

According to Whiting Fire Company authorities, the incident was initially reported as many residences on fire. Before first responders arrived, it was upgraded to a two-alarm fire, prompting multiple fire companies to provide mutual aid.

No injuries or smoke inhalation were reported at the scene, Vega said.

Zachary Sharp of the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office and Patrolman Gainey and Detective Steffen of the Manchester Police Department are investigating the fire. According to Vega, the fire appeared to have started accidentally as a result of an electrical fault.