Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief William Volkert of the Old Bridge Police Department announced today that two people were found dead following a fire that damaged a home in the Laurence Harbor section of the township. The two, whose identities are being withheld, were discovered shortly after the fire was reported at 445 Harding Road in Laurence Harbor at 11:39 p.m. Wednesday. The cause of the deaths remains undetermined pending the completion of autopsies by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office. Members of the Laurence Harbor Fire Department were dispatched to the blaze, which was quickly extinguished. An investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, The Old Bridge Police Department and local fire authorities. At this time, the fire is not being labeled suspicious; and the safety of the surrounding community is not at issue. It was not immediately known if fire detectors had been installed in the home. Prosecutor Carey reminded residents they should have fire detectors placed in bedrooms and hallways, and should regularly change batteries in the devices.
According to unconfirmed reports, the two victims are said to be a couple in their 70's.