South Toms River House Fire Victim Identified

We now know the identity of the victim who died while trapped in the basement of the Main Street house in South Toms River early Monday evening. Law enforcement officials said the victim was 35-year-old borough resident Dianna Norwood. Autopsy results show that Norwood died from smoke inhalation. Six firefighters were also injured while attempting to rescue Norwood but were pushed back by the heat and heavy flames.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said multiple agencies have ruled the fire as accidental, ignited by the failure of energized electrical equipment in the basement.

The six injured firefighters were sent to Community Medical Center in Toms River after sustaining non-life threatening burns and smoke inhalation. One firefighter, was admitted and remains in stable condition.

The fire was reported at around 5:30 p.m. Four fire companies responded to the blaze that included the Manitou Park Fire Company, Bayville Fire Department, Pinewald Pioneer Fire Company and Toms River Fire Company Number 2.

The prosecutor's office is asking anyone with information about the matter to contact their Major Crimes Unit at 732-929-2027 or the South Toms River Police Department.