Residents Evacuate After Fire Breaks Out At Hazlet Nursing Home

HAZLET, NJ — Multiple police and fire departments responded to Arnold Walter Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday after a fire broke out on the roof, Holmdel Police said.

Around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Holmdel Police received a call for a smell of smoke at the nursing home on Laurel Avenue near Middle Road.

While patrols were en route, police learned there was an active fire on the roof in the back of the building.

Holmdel Fire & Rescue Company #2 responded to the center with assistance from their mutual aid partners throughout the Bayshore. The fire was then contained to the roof, and the smoke was contained to one wing of the facility.

According to police, all residents in the affected wing were relocated to other parts of the facility or evacuated. Once the fire was extinguished, the building was made safe for the residents to reoccupy.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, police said preliminary investigation revealed that a chemical used for repairs ignited when it came into contact with metal flashing that was exposed to the extreme heat.

One person was treated on scene by EMS as a precaution but refused further medical treatment.

“Many thanks to all agencies involved in keeping the patients and first responders on scene safe,” the Holmdel First Aid Squad said in an online post. “Ambulances 1856, 1857, and 1858 were on scene for standby support.”

Responding agencies included Holmdel Police, Holmdel Fire & Rescue Company #2, the NJ State Fire Marshal's Office, Monmouth County Fire Marshals, Monmouth County HAZMAT, Monmouth County EMS Taskforce, Holmdel Fire Marshals, Holmdel First Aid Squad, Hazlet Fire Department, Keyport Fire Department, Keansburg Fire Department, and Middletown Township Fire Department.

The Holmdel Township Police Department thanked those who assisted.

To see the original post from the Holmdel Township Police Department, you can click here.