WARETOWN: Early this morning the Waretown Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Marine and Lagoon View Road for a report of smoke in the area.

Waretown Fire Departments Chief, Deputy Chief and OTPD arrived and located a 2 story single family residence with heavy fire on both the first and second floor.

A working fire assignment was transmitted as Waretown Engine 3601 and 3631 arrived on location. (Working fire assignment adds a RIT Team and ladder truck from Forked River Fire Department, RIT teams are mandated by local and state standards and are a team of firefighters who stand by in case interior firefighters are injured or need to be rescued)

3601/3631 stretched a 2.5 inch hose line through the front door and into the first floor of the house. They suppressed the fire on the first floor and attempted to make their way up to the second floor but could not, as the stairs were completely burnt through making it non accessible.

Other means of making the second floor were attempted and it was discovered that the second floor was structurally compromised and also had multiple holes burnt through it.

The remaining fire was suppressed a short time later without incident. One firefighter suffered a minor injury and no resident injuries were reported.

The scene is being investigated by the Ocean County Fire Marshals Office and OTPD as is the case with all fires.