Cause Of Mermaid Drive Fire In Stafford Still Under Investigation

The Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office is investigation the cause of as structural fire that broke out at 257 Mermaid Drive earlier this week.

The blaze - which was reported at 12:35 p.m. on Wednesday, left the house with extensive smoke damage, police said.

When police arrived, smoke was coming from the roof and the house was at first thought to be unoccupied. The Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company arrived and began to extinguish the fire. They discovered a dog was inside the home and rescued the animal without injury, police said.

 Ptl. M. Wade was the investigating officer