News

Nov 19, 2023

All fatal 2023 fires in Ocean County sparked by smoking: prosecutor

Following a fire in Lacey that claimed the lives of four family members, including an infant, the chief Ocean County law enforcement officer Thursday said that all the deadly fires in Ocean County

Following a fire in Lacey that claimed the lives of four family members, including an infant, the chief Ocean County law enforcement officer Thursday said that all the deadly fires in Ocean County this year were caused by smoking.

There have been six structure fires in Ocean County so far in 2023, five of them involving fatalities, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement.

“Fatal fires that have shattered families, caused tragic loss of life, and have placed fire, police, and emergency service personnel at risk - all due to improper discarding of smoking material,” Billhimer said.

The deadly blaze in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey started on a porch and smoking material could not be ruled out as a cause, Billhimer said Wednesday.

“The past three weeks, we have seen mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends die in harrowing fire-related incidents,” Billhimer said.

He also mentioned the dangers of hoarding, but did not say whether any of the deadly fires this year involved that. Residents on Buttonwood Drive where the deadly blaze Tuesday took place said the home was filled with debris.

In light of the series of tragedies, Billhimer offered the following tips and information about the dangers of smoking:

Billhimer also warned about how excess clutter can harm residents, as well as first responders in a fire:

"Most fires are totally preventable," Billhimer added. "Life is precious."

Ken Serrano covers breaking news, crime and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or at [email protected].