Heroic Neighbor Rescues Family from House Fire in Toms River

Cherry Hill Firefighters Experience Heat Exhaustion During Blaze

Heroic Neighbor Rescues Family from House Fire in Toms River

Fire authorities and the owners said that late Saturday night, a neighbor who noticed flames creeping up the side of a house in Toms River assisted the family in safely evacuating.

According to Matthew Janora, chief fire inspector for the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, the fire at the residence on Leawood Avenue was reported at 11:43 p.m. on Saturday.

Jersey Shore Hurricane News shared video from the homeowner's doorbell camera, which shows the neighbor at the door shouting to the family to evacuate because the house is on fire while flames crackle next to the porch.

The family's dog and all four members—two adults, a 17-year-old, and a 9-month-old baby—escaped safely, according to Jonathan Pope, the homeowner, who posted on a GoFundMe page set up to help cover urgent expenses while they wait for support from their insurance provider.

When firefighters arrived, they discovered a fire that had begun outdoors and had spread inside the house, impacting the porch steps, garage door, attic, and a bedroom on the second floor, according to Janora.

The working structure fire was responded to by several Toms River fire departments, who successfully contained it, according to Janora. No one was hurt.

When smoking materials were disposed of improperly, they ignited "surrounding combustible storage, including cardboard boxes and a township-issued trash container, resulting in fire extension to the home." According to Janora, the fire, which caused significant damage to the house, was determined to be an accident.

According to him, the Toms River Township Building Department determined that the house was hazardous to occupy. Pope said the family only had clothes when they fled, and the American Red Cross is helping them out a little.