Man Dies In Manchester Mobile Home Fire

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township man died in a mobile home fire that has been ruled accidental, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Michael Seaman, 65, died of smoke inhalation during the fire at his home on Panda Lane in the Pine Ridge at Crestwood mobile home community, the prosecutor's office said. The fire, which started on a mattress in a bedroom, was caused by careless smoking, authorities said.

The fire was reported at 9:05 p.m. on Wednesday by a caller who saw smoke and visible flames coming from the home, authorities said. A person was reported to be inside, authorities said.

Whiting Fire Company responded and found there was "excessive interior storage with physical obstructions," and attacked the fire with two groups from separate entry points into the home, the fire company said. One group worked to knock down the fire while the second searched for the person. The fire suppression team found Seaman's body, the fire company said.

The fire was investigated by the Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad of the prosecutor's office, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Ocean County Medical Examiner performed the autopsy on Thursday and determined Seaman had died of smoke inhalation, authorities said.

"Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones and the Pine Ridge community during this time," the Whiting Fire Company said in a post on Facebook.