Fire Chief Gary Simone reported that Toms River Fire Companies 1 and 2 and East Dover Fire Company 4 responded and discovered "a severe clutter condition" throughout the house, complicating efforts to put out the fire. According to Novak, additional fire crews were dispatched to assist.

According to him, the fire was extinguished and contained to the three bedrooms on the second story.

The incident did not appear to be suspicious, but fire inspectors Richard Foster and Kyle Palmisano are still investigating the cause, he added.