TOMS RIVER: On Thursday, February 16, 2023, at approximately 3:00 PM, police and fire were dispatched to an active fire on Roberts Road. The caller attempted to alert the homeowner of the fire as they believed that he was still inside. At the time of police arrival, the home was fully engulfed and the officers attempts to gain entry were unsuccessful due to the heavy smoke conditions and intensity of the flames. Toms River Fire Companies responded and extinguished the blaze. Ocean County Fire Coordinator, and the Prosecutors Office was requested to the scene, and are investigating the cause of the fire. We are getting reports that an elderly man who suffered from Alzheimers, and his pets were killed in the fire.