Crime & Safety

Point Beach Fatal Fire: Victim Identification, Autopsies 'A Priority' On Saturday

All four fire victims who died earlier Friday were men; the motel was housing displaced survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

Investigators focused on victim identification and autopsies Saturday as they sorted through the remains of a Point Pleasant Beach motel fire that killed four people.

Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, said there will be no press conference Saturday, and none expected for Sunday as the investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

"Victim identification is a priority as well.  The medical examiner will be conducting autopsies today," he said.

All four fire victims who died earlier Friday were men, said Della Fave. The motel was housing displaced survivors of Hurricane Sandy.

Della Fave said the Toms River Fire Department Technical Rescue Team, which is part of the New Jersey State Police Urban Search and Rescue Team, were on site and assisting in the investigative effort. 

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is also on site along with members of the NJ State Police Arson Unit and Ocean County Arson Task Force, Della Fave said.

The fire, which was the subject of more than 15 calls to 911 at about 5:33 a.m., collapsed the roof of the motel where about 40 people were staying, authorities have said. The blaze was brought under control at 7:04 a.m.

In addition to the four people who died, eight were taken to hospitals, including one to the St. Barnabas Hospital burn center in Livingston.


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