Teen Still Hospitalized After Toms River Townhouse Fire

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A 17-year-old boy remains hospitalized recovering from smoke inhalation following a fire that severely damaged six townhouses in Toms River early Monday, according to a family member.

The teen, identified only by his first name, Matthew, is on a ventilator in intensive care at Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center in New Brunswick, his cousin Emily Pilling wrote on a GoFundMe campaign she created to help her family.

Matthew, his 18-year-old brother, Christopher, and their father, whose name she did not share, were forced from the townhouse as a result of the fire at the Mariners Cove complex on Kettle Creek Road that was reported about 3:20 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Matthew, Christopher and their father were taken to Community Medical Center, and Matthew was transferred to New Brunswick while his father and brother were treated and released. Three firefighters suffered minor injuries as well, authorities said. Read more: 6 Injured, 10 Homeless As 6 Mariners Cove Townhouses Burn In Toms River

"My cousin Matthew (17), inhaled a significant amount of soot and smoke," Pilling wrote. "Our family is absolutely crushed over this however he seems to be responding well to the care he is receiving. We know he will pull through."

"What was once their home has been turned to nothing but ash and dirt," she wrote, and the three lost a variety of items including "mementos of the boys’ mother, who tragically passed in 2018. We are all just happy that everyone is alive."

Her uncle is living with his oldest son, while Christopher is living with Pilling and her family, she said.

"While items are replaceable and we are totally aware of that, this is still a major setback for our poor family. My uncle has been permanently disabled for some time now which makes this journey of replenishing things extremely difficult," she wrote. "We are basically at square one here. At this very moment, the apartment complex does not have anything open as far as I understand."

Pilling said there have been some beginnings of assistance. "We have been in contact with some amazing people today and we are so incredibly grateful. Thank you to all responders, doctors, nurses, firemen, and American Red Cross for your support and help today."

She also urged people to remember the other Mariners Cove residents affected by the fire, which left six townhouses uninhabitable.

"I want to extend my empathy and prayers to all of the other families and residents who were impacted as well and I encourage them to reach out if they need anything," she wrote. "I am just utterly thrilled to know that my family is alive as well as everyone else involved."

Those who wish to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, which has a $4,000 goal, can do so here.