MARLBORO – Multiple condominium units in the Millponds development off Texas Road in Marlboro were damaged in a fire that occurred on May 15 and during the incident, police officers rescued an elderly man from his home.
According to a press release from the Marlboro Police Department, at 4:03 p.m., police received a 911 call from a resident who was reporting a fire at a residential building on Yorkshire Place in Millponds.
Police officers arrived at the scene approximately four minutes after the 911 call was received. Flames could be seen from the road and there was a heavy smoke condition.
The building that was engulfed in flames housed units 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383 and 385, according to the press release.
Police said it appeared the fire was centered on the rear of the building in the area of units 375 and 377.
While evacuating all of the units in the building, Patrolman Charles Wilson found the front door of unit 375 to be wide open.
Upon further inspection, Wilson noticed an elderly, wheelchair-bound resident was struggling to vacate his residence. The man was being assisted by his wife, but they were unable to maneuver the wheelchair out of the doorway, according to the press release.
Wilson and Patrolman Pawel Wcislo were able to move the man to safety before the flames engulfed his residence, according to the press release.
By that time, fire department personnel had begun to arrive at the scene and worked to extinguish the fire. While three units (373, 375 and 377) sustained fire damage, police said the entire building was deemed to be uninhabitable.
No injuries to residents or first responders were reported at the scene. Police said the fire did not appear to be suspicious in nature.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation led by the Monmouth County Fire Marshal, the Marlboro Fire Prevention Bureau and the Marlboro Police Department Detective Bureau.
Responding to the scene were members of the Marlboro Police Department, Robertsville Volunteer Fire Company, Marlboro Fire Department, Morganville Fire Department, Marlboro First Aid and Rescue Squad, Morganville First Aid Squad, Marlboro Fire Prevention Bureau, Marlboro Office of Emergency Management, Gordons Corner Fire Company, Englishtown Fire Department, Freehold Fire Department, Tinton Falls Fire Company, NJ EMS Task Force, Keyport First Aid Squad, Keyport Office of Emergency Management and the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office, according to the press release.