By: Richard L. Smith
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has announced that an accidental fire severely damaged a structure on Joe Parker Road in Lakewood Township early on May 4th.
According to a state released by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, the incident, which occurred around 1:20 a.m., led to the heroic rescue of a man trapped inside and injuries to both an officer and a firefighter.
Upon arrival, Lakewood Township Police and Fire Departments were met with heavy flames engulfing both the front and back of the building.
Ocean County officials said it was soon discovered that a male occupant was unaccounted for.
Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said a police officer braved the flames to rescue the man, who was later transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
He is currently listed in critical but stable condition.
The rescuing officer suffered smoke inhalation during the effort and was treated at Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus in Lakewood, while a firefighter experienced a cardiac event and was taken to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township; both were treated and released.
Investigators from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, along with other local agencies, determined that the fire started accidentally underneath a screened-in deck due to improperly discarded smoking materials.
Prosecutor Billhimer commended the collaborative effort of local emergency and investigative units, emphasizing their vital role in managing this crisis and conducting a thorough investigation into its cause.
