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Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Mirage Structure Fire Caused by Blocked Furnace Pipe

Residents of nearby homes were evacuated, but were allowed to return shortly.

The Barnegat Volunteer Fire Company and Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company quickly extinguished a structure fire that officials say started in the attic of a home in the Mirage development off of West Bay Avenue.

Barnegat Police department and the firemen responded to a 6:37 p.m. alarm activation at 102 Lakeland Drive yesterday evening.

Upon arrival, police officers verified that all occupants were out of the residence and then began a systematic evacuation of the surrounding residences, according to the police report released this morning.

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Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes by 7 p.m.

Police said no injuries were reported. According to fire company officials, a plumber, who was working on the furnace when the incident occurred suffered from inhalation issues, but declined to be taken to the hospital.

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The Barnegat Police Department and the Ocean County Fire Marshall's Office investigated the fire and ruled it accidental. The fire is believed to have been caused by a blocked furnace pipe in the attic of the residence, the police report said.

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