MANCHESTER: On Thursday, February 23, 2023, at approximately 9:01 a.m., members of Manchester Township Police, Fire, and EMS along with members from each of the Manchester and Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Companies responded to a Pine Acres Manor residence for a report of a structure fire.

Upon arrival, smoke and flames were observed emanating from the rear of the residence and it was quickly determined that the occupants of the residence had self-evacuated. As a result of the fire, the residence sustained fire and water damage to the rear interior of the residence and the building inspector subsequently deemed the residence uninhabitable. There were no injuries as a result of this fire.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was not suspicious in nature but the exact cause and origin have yet to be determined. This case is being investigated by Detective Richard Conklin of the Manchester Township Police Investigations Bureau and the Ocean County Fire Marshall.

Assisting at the scene were members of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, Manchester Volunteer Fire Company, Ocean County Fire Marshall, Manchester Township Building Department, Manchester Township OEM and the American Red Cross.

Courtesy Manchester Police Department