MANCHESTER – Ocean County authorities confirmed that the body of a man was found inside a Pine Lake Park home that was engulfed in flames Monday night. Police believe the cause of the blaze was accidental in nature.
Manchester Township Police were called to the Laketree Court home on July 24 at around 8:30 p.m. for the report of a structure fire.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer confirmed that parts of the first and second floors had collapsed into the basement and several units had responded to battle the fire.
The smoke and flames were so massive, it was deemed unsafe to continue the fire investigation until daylight hours.
Photo by Pat Earl Accatatta
On July 25, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit conducted an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire.
Authorities say the probe has determined that the fire began on the front porch of the residence, and that improperly discarded smoking material cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire.
During the investigation, the deceased body of a male victim was discovered within the collapsed area of the structure. Police have not identified the man. His body was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River for a post mortem examination and identification.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office-Arson Squad, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, New Jersey State Police K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and cooperative efforts in connection with this investigation.
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