Coastal Flood Advisory Extended in New Jersey
September 19, 2024
Twelve Displaced by Fire in Toms River Apartment Complex.
According to Toms River Bureau of Fire Preventionon Wednesday September 18th, 2024 at approximately 2:23pm, the Pleasant Plains Fire Department was dispatched to 1000 Axl Drive in Toms River for a fire alarm activation indicating a water flow from zone 161. Shortly after dispatch, additional callers reported a heavy smoke condition in apartment 1-306. This information prompted the call to be upgraded to a possible structure fire bringing in additional units from Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, East Dover Fire Company, Toms River Fire Company No. 2, and Whitesville Fire Company.
First arriving units confirmed that a small grease fire had occurred on the stove. The fire extended to the microwave housing, activating the sprinkler head in the kitchen area of the apartment. The sprinkler activation extinguished most, if not all, of the fire and contained it to the area above stove. Fire units shut down the sprinkler system, secured the power to the affected units, and ventilated the building.
Crews operated for approximately 2 hours.
Due to the water damage from the sprinkler system, 3 units in the building were posted unsafe by the Toms River Building Department. The American Red Cross and Toms River Office of Emergency Management responded and provided assistance to approximately 12 individuals who had been displaced.
The circumstances surrounding the cause fire have been ruled accidental in nature due to unattended cooking on the electric stovetop. >
