Neighbor Bangs On Windows, Helps Residents Escape House Fire In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Two people escaped a house fire in Manchester Sunday night without injury thanks to fire alarms and a neighbor who banged on the windows, Manchester police said Monday.

Wilfredo Ramos and Ada Meacham told police they were asleep in their bedroom when they heard the fire alarms and the neighbor banging on their windows about 10:20 p.m., Capt. Albert Vega said. The neighbor had seen the flames from across the cul-de-sac, Vega said.

Their two cats perished in the fire, Vega said.

Manchester police and firefighters were called to the fire on Darien Court, in the Crestwood Village section of Whiting, and found the single-family home fully engulfed in flames, Vega said. Photos as seen in Photos published by Whiting Fire Company showed the flames shooting into the sky.

Whiting Fire Company officials said the call initially came in as multiple residences on fire and it was elevated to a two-alarm fire before first responders arrived, drawing in mutual aid from multiple fire companies.

No injuries or smoke inhalation were reported at the scene, Vega said.

The following fire departments responded to assist: Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Fire Department, Ridgeway Fire Department, U.S. Air Force Fire Department, New Egypt Fire Department, Pinewald Pioneer Fire Department, Bayville Fire Company, Lakehurst Fire Department, Forked River Fire Department, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Fire Department and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Also assisting at the scene were emergency medical technicians from the Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services and from South Toms River Emergency Medical Services.

The fire is being investigated by Patrolman Gainey and Detective Steffen of the Manchester Police Department, and Zachary Sharp of the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office. Currently, the fire appears to be accidental in nature due to an electrical malfunction, Vega said.