A fire at the Fairways at Bey Lea complex, July 15, 2023. (Credit: Catherine Galioto)
Fire officials on Sunday said they were still in the process of investigating the root cause of a fire that displaced more than two-dozen residents of an upscale townhome community on Inverness Drive.
According to police and fire sources, the blaze was reported at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fairways at Bey Lea townhome community. The fire ravaged multiple units, drawing an all-hands response from police as well as the township’s numerous fire companies. All of the residents of the affected area were evacuated, and Toms River firefighters received mutual aid from their colleagues in Berkeley Township, Forked River and Lakewood. Seaside Heights firefighters covered areas of Toms River during the response.
The Red Cross said Sunday they were ensuring 25 residents, made up of 15 families, who were displaced because of the fire had safe places to stay. A dog that got away from its owner during the blaze was ultimately reunited with his family.
“Thank you to all the fire companies, EMS and law enforcement that responded to The Fairways at Bey Lea fire,” a social media post from the Pleasant Plains fire company said. “Our thoughts are with the families as they deal with this terrible tragedy.”
A fire at the Fairways at Bey Lea complex, July 15, 2023. (Credit: Catherine Galioto)
A fire at the Fairways at Bey Lea complex, July 15, 2023. (Credit: East Dover Fire Company)
A fire at the Fairways at Bey Lea complex, July 15, 2023. (Credit: East Dover Fire Company)
A fire at the Fairways at Bey Lea complex, July 15, 2023. (Credit: East Dover Fire Company)
The post went on to say that the weather was working against firefighters, as well as the location of the fire in the buildings, however the blaze was brought to an end in under two hours.
“There were no serious injuries, which we are all thankful for,” the post said.
The fire is under investigation by the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention, which is expected to determine its cause over the next several days as the scene is analyzed by experts.
