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One Dead In Toms River House Fire

By Jason Allentoff

TOMS RIVER – The fatal trailer park fire that left one man dead has been deemed accidental, according to Ocean County authorities.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer confirmed that the Roberts Road blaze on February 16 may have been caused by smoking materials as they discovered the blaze started in a mattress in the bedroom.

Authorities have identified the deceased man as 76-year-old Billy Kimbrough.

Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department and Toms River Township Fire Departments were dispatched to the fire where they found large flames and smoke.

Police said the caller believed that the homeowner was still inside and attempted to alert him.

Police tried to gain access inside, but were unsuccessful as the home was fully engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. Toms River Fire Companies responded and were able to extinguish the blaze.

A thorough and extensive investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit- Arson Squad, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and the Toms River Township Bureau of Fire Prevention.

Students Sheltered In Place

By Chris Lundy

TOMS RIVER – High School South was put on lockdown on February 17 as a precautionary measure.

A robocall went out to parents to let them know of the situation. A second robocall updated the public, saying “There is no threat to the school and students are currently in ‘shelter in place.’”

A third robocall told parents that the shelter condition was instituted in order to vet a concern that a student brought to a teacher’s attention. They said police came right away.

Toms River Police posted on social media: “Out of an abundance of caution, we currently have multiple police units at Toms River High School South for a shelter in place due to a female student concerned an acquaintance may come to the school to fight. There is no threat of weapons. Officers will remain at the school until the investigation is complete. We are asking parents not to respond to the school.”

EDUCATORS! Have a special event planned for your class? Let everyone know by placing a news release in this paper! Call 732-657-7344 to find out how!