Flames, Smoke Engulf Downtown Toms River Home

Two occupants of a downtown Toms River home huddled in the cold this morning, watching flames and smoke consume their dwelling as a battery of firefighters struggled in sub-freezing temperatures.

Six fire companies responded to 8 Park Street at about 8:46 AM, according to township police. Early inspections indicate that the fire broke out in a bedroom and quickly spread, though the exact cause has yet to be determined.

Snow and temperatures in the teens hampered firefighter efforts, police said, and runoff water created sheets of ice that required closure of the road for sanding and salting by township Public Works crews.

Police have not yet identified the fire victims, nor the extent of any possible injuries and house damage.