Officials: Fire that killed 4 people, including teen and infant, ruled an accident
The fire started inside the Buttonwood Drive home in Lacey Township Tuesday afternoon. Neighbors came by the home all day Wednesday to pay their respects.
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Authorities in Ocean County say a fire that killed four people, including a teenager and a 4-month-old baby, has been ruled accidental.
The fire started inside the Buttonwood Drive home in Lacey Township Tuesday afternoon.
Four people died and one person was injured. Neighbors came by the home all day Wednesday to pay their respects.
The victims were identified as 39-year-old Jennifer Wright, 34-year-old Alaina Wright, a 14-year-old girl and an infant.
A fifth victim, identified as 67-year-old Brenda Wright, was rescued once the fire broke out. She was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River and is listed in stable condition.
MORE: 4 dead, 1 injured in Lacey Township house fire
“It was my daughter’s friend. That’s so sad. I can’t believe it – the whole family. I knew the whole family, Alaina spent so much time in my home,” says one neighbor who came by to pay her respects. “I feel so sad, that’s why I had to sit here and pray for them."
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office says that the fire started on the porch on the west side of the home. The fire was ruled accidental. Officials say that they cannot rule out improperly discarded smoking material as a cause.
Neighbors tell News 12 that the house was very different from other houses around the neighborhood because there were a lot of items in and around the house, including trailers in the parking lot that were packed with belongings.
