LAKEWOOD – The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a township resident died in an explosion caused by the release of natural gas to an open flame.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that at approximately 4:15 p.m. on November 1, officers from the Township Police Department responded to the Lakewood Housing Authority on Sampson Avenue concerning a report of an explosion.
The explosion developed into a structure fire and the officers discovered a male victim, later identified as Ronald Prichard, 67, the sole occupant of the housing unit, to be suffering from serious injuries.
Prichard was transported to Monmouth Medical Center, Southern Campus, in Lakewood, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Lakewood Police Department Township Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, revealed that the explosion originated in the bedroom of the housing unit, and was caused by the release of natural gas to an open flame.
Prosecutor Billhimer commended the work of those from his office, the Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
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