Police Lights (Photo: Jason Rojas/Flickr)
A house fire that occurred Sunday in the Holiday City at Silverton community has been ruled accidental.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office issued its determination on the status of the March 20 blaze Tuesday, as two occupants of the home remain hospitalized. The investigation by the county prosecutor’s office, sheriff’s department and township fire officials determined that the fire was caused by :careless smoking while oxygen was in use.”
Firefighters and other first responders were called to the home on Mount Everest Lane at about 9:45 p.m. Sunday night. During the primary search of the residence, the two occupants, later identified as Linda Summerton, 73, and Ricky McMurry, 73, were found and rescued.
Due to the extent of their injuries, both victims were airlifted to the Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J. McMurry remains listed in critical condition, while Summerton is listed in stable condition.
