By: Yuritza Arroyo Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that the fatal structure fire that occurred on Heron Street in Manchester Township on Sunday, March 19, has been ruled accidental. According to officials, on March 19, at approximately 6:50 p.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department and Manchester Township Fire Departments were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Heron Street. First Responders were able to rescue a female victim from the fire.
Officials say the victim was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River and is currently in critical but stable condition. During the primary search of the residence, the body of a deceased female was discovered.
The decedent’s body was transported to Community Medical Center for a post-mortem examination and identification. A thorough investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit- Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire originated in a garbage can at the northwest corner of a patio, and the cause of the fire was deemed to be accidental due to discarded smoking material.