Motel Fire in New Jersey Claims Three Lives

Three people were pronounced dead by authorities following an early morning fire on Friday that destroyed a motel that was two-story tall, said police.

Officials are continuing to search room by room at the Mariner’s Cove Motor Inn. Sources said it was too hard to tell if the amount of fatalities from the fire would increase.

A number of other people suffered injuries due to the blaze, as many had to leap from the motel’s second floor, said police. Other suffered smoke inhalation and burns.

An officer from the Sheriff’s office in Ocean County was injured, but police do not know how severe his injuries are.

Firefighters from three towns – South Wall, Point Pleasant Beach and Point Pleasant – were called in to battle the fire that had been first reported between 4:30 a.m. and 4:45 a.m.

As late as 8:00 a.m. Friday morning there were still more than 50 firefighters on the scene.

The motel did not have concrete walls said one resident of Point Pleasant and therefore it became engulfed very quickly.

One woman at the scene, who did not want to leave her name, told reporters she was hoping to hear news about a friend who lived at the motel.

The manager’s office had been destroyed in the fire and no records have been obtained about residents in the motel.

Dogs able to detect accelerants and cadavers were being brought to the motel early Friday morning. Victims were taken to a squad building for first aid, and the American Red Cross was called to assist.

Authorities said they would hold a news conference before noon. The fire will be investigated jointly by the sheriff’s offices and the county prosecutor. In addition, the Point Pleasant police and the fire marshal from the country will also take part.

Properties that were adjacent to the motel received damage. The motel is open all year. It has been opened since 1985.

The motel, which is L-shaped, is just blocks for the beach, boardwalk and Manasquan Inlet.

Bio
Latest Posts

Roxanne Briean

I am a geek, a gamer and a writer. I have always been fascinated with the online community. At the moment I work as a full-time writer and study interior design. When I'm not scouring the net in search of interesting new gadgets and software I spend my time in MOBAs or drawing.