Woman Injured As Fire Forces 59 To Evacuate Brick Apartments

BRICK, NJ — A 75-year-old woman was rescued after from a three-alarm fire that forced 59 residents of the George Conway Towers to evacuate on Saturday, authorities said.

All four of Brick's fire companies — Breton Woods, Pioneer Hose, Laurelton and Herbertsville — responded, along with all Brick police officers on shift, who responded to help evacuate residents, and the department's EMS, which set up a treatment area.

Brick Police Sgt. Mike Feeney and Patrolman Rich Zimmerer, who were the first to arrive, forced the door open to the woman's apartment but were forced back by heavy smoke, Brick Sgt. Jim Kelly said. Firefighters arrived and were able to find the woman and carry her to safety while other firefighters extinguished the fire.

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The fire in the third-floor apartment at the complex on Chambers Bridge Road, which houses primarily senior citizens, was reported at 1:56 p.m. Saturday. The woman who was rescued was the only person injured in the blaze, which remains under investigation, Kelly said. She was taken to Ocean Medical Center for treatment, he said.

Residents from the second and third floors were evacuated, while those on the first, fourth and fifth floors were advised to shelter in place as the fire was quickly controlled and extinguished, Kelly said. Emergency units remained on scene for about 2½ hours before allowing the majority of residents back into the building.

Fire inspectors determined the fire started in the kitchen, however the cause is still under investigation by the Brick Fire Bureau and Brick police detectives, Kelly said.

Bureau of Fire Safety Chief Kevin Batzel and Police Chief James Riccio commended the actions of all the first responders involved, saying that if not for the exceptional way in which they responded and handled the incident, there could have undoubtedly been many injuries or loss of life, and a greater deal of property damage.

Brick's fire companies, Brick Township Police and Brick Township Police EMS received mutual aid assistance from the Point Pleasant Fire Department, Silverton Fire Department and Point Pleasant EMS.

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