Crime & Safety
Fire Damages Four Leisure Village East Homes In Lakewood
A retired Brick Township police officer lived in the home where the fire started; there were no injuries, police said.
LAKEWOOD, NJ — Residents of four Leisure Village East homes were forced to find shelter elsewhere on Saturday after a fire in one unit damaged the others, police said.
The fire on Inverness Court was reported about 4:45 p.m., Lakewood Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said. Officer Joseph Hans saw heavy smoke as he drove down Shorrock Street — smoke that was visible to boaters on Barnegat Bay, according to social media posts.
The home that was destroyed belonged to Phil Milder, a retired Brick Township police officer, his family confirmed to Patch Monday evening.
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Milder was not home at the time of the fire, which was extinguished by the Lakewood Fire Department. Neighboring units were damaged by the fire as well.
There were no injuries, Staffordsmith said.
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Family members have set up a GoFundme campaign to help Milder replace furniture and other belongings lost in the fire.
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