Crime & Safety

Freehold Borough Family Loses Home to Fire

Adelphia Fire Company sent a fire truck to blaze that took place Friday before Christmas.

A Freehold Borough family’s home was destroyed by fire just days before Christmas. Approximately 45 firefighters responded to a call at 4 p.m. on Friday for a blaze at a two-story McLean Street residence, according to Freehold Borough Fire Chief Ryan Bailey.

“It was occupied by a husband, a wife and two kids,” Bailey said. “It's a shame. They lost everything.”

The family was at home when the fire began but had gotten out safely. The 200-year-old structure was heavily engulfed when firefighters arrived. Additions made to the house over the years created pockets for fire to potentially spread to, creating a challenge for firefighters, according to Bailey.

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“At one point we evacuated and went into defensive mode,” he said.

The fire took approximately 45 minutes to place under control and two and a half hours to fully extinguish. The home had a partial roof collapse toward the back and holes in the floor as a result of the blaze. The home is uninhabitable, Bailey said.

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One firefighter sustained a shoulder injury during the incident and was treated and released at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, according to Bailey.

East Freehold Fire Company and Englishtown Fire Company each sent a fire truck to the scene. Adelphia Fire Company was on hand to serve as the rapid intervention team. Marlboro Fire Department was tapped to handle any Freehold Borough fire calls while volunteers were at the McLean Street blaze.

The Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.


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