Toms River, NJ – On July 15, a structure fire broke out at the Fairways at Bey Lea Apartment Complex on Inverness Drive in Toms River. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, has concluded its investigation into the incident, providing essential details regarding the cause and aftermath of the fire.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene at approximately 1:30 p.m. Upon arrival, they encountered heavy smoke and flames emanating from the building’s roofing system.
Prompt action was taken, leading to the successful evacuation of the building without incident.
During the suppression of the fire, two firefighters, an emergency medical technician, and a resident sustained non-life threatening injuries. They were transported to local hospitals for treatment and have since been reported to be in stable condition.
A collaborative effort involving the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Toms River Township Fire Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit was carried out to determine the cause of the fire.
A Twitter user published photos to the platform from a drone as firefighters battled the blaze.
The investigation revealed that the fire originated on an exterior third-floor balcony. While improper disposal of smoking materials cannot be ruled out as the cause, it has been determined that the fire was accidental in nature.