REEHOLD – A 17-year-old male died in a fire shortly before midnight in Neptune Township, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Officials say Neptune Township Police, Fire, and EMS responded to an 11:58 p.m. report of possible entrapment at a structure fire at 1821 McBride Avenue in the township.
When first responders arrived on the scene, two residents of the home were safely evacuated from the home but a third resident was unaccounted-for and believed to be inside the home.
Police and firefighters made several attempts to search the residence but efforts were hampered by heavy fire.
The fire was ultimately extinguished and the 17-year-old male was located in his bedroom deceased.
The power at the home was out due to the strong storms that arrived in the area earlier in the evening. A resident heard a fire alarm and awoke to find the boy’s room consumed with fire.
An investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is ongoing.
IMAGE CREDIT: Bud McCormick