Ocean County Authorities Discuss Safety After Fatal Fire

OCEAN COUNTY – After a recent fire in Lacey Township that left four people dead, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer has provided insight and safety tips on smoking material.

“We have had six structure fires in Ocean County this year. Five of the six structure fires proved to be deadly. Three out of the six occurred in the past three weeks, and all three involved fatalities. Fatal fires that have shattered families, caused tragic loss of life, and have placed fire, police, and emergency service personnel at risk – all due to improper discarding of smoking material,” Prosecutor Billhimer said. “Failure to properly put out a cigarette can have deadly consequences. Failure to properly extinguish any smoking material may set in motion a series of events that ends a life and causes the loss of your entire world.”

“The past three weeks, we have seen mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends die in harrowing fire-related incidents. These catastrophic and life changing losses are wholly preventable,” Prosecutor Billhimer added.

Prosecutor Billhimer has announced the following cigarette safety tips:

Prosecutor Billhimer explained how hoarding increases fire risks:

“Most fires are totally preventable. Life is precious; please keep these safety tips in mind, and above all – please be careful,” Prosecutor Billhimer said.