MANALAPAN — An emergency fire call sent police, fire and first aid services scrambling to a Clinton Drive home in the Monmouth Heights development on the afternoon of May 30.
The 2:37 p.m. call caused the Gordons Corner Fire Company, the Manalapan Fire Bureau, the Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid Squad and the Manalapan Police Department to respond. Authorities said resident John Duberman was injured when propane gas that was in use with a grill ignited.
Patrolman Kenneth Dobbin said Duberman put out the fire and suffered first- and second-degree burns on his face, arms and legs. Duberman was transported to CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, by the first aid squad. He was treated for burns and released.
Fire Chief Mike Lennox of the Gordons Corner Fire Company said the fire was out by the time firefighters arrived. He said the fire is under investigation.
Dobbin and Lennox said the fire was accidental.
"The tank [part of an outdoor patio barbecue] didn’t really explode," said Lennox. "I think it was related to [the fact that] the tank had been filled earlier the day. There was a possibility that the connection was loose. We really haven’t had propane explosions."
Lennox said it is very important for a homeowner to clean out a grill after it sits idle all winter.
"Clean all the burners and make sure nothing is clogged up and everything is functioning properly," he said. "If necessary, have it repaired by a qualified technician."
Lennox said in this case the grill was lit by someone else at the house and there was a delayed ignition.
"When it ignited there was a fire," the chief said. Duberman "tried to extinguish the fire and he received burns. The house damage was collateral heat damage around the soffit area and a little bit of smoke inside. There was no real structural damage at all."
— Dave Benjamin