Bay Head house fire traced to awning motor: police chief

Above: Three cars on fire in Lacey restaurant parking lot captured on camera

BAY HEAD — A Johnson Street home was seriously damaged Sunday when a fire broke out on the home's exterior and spread to the second floor and attic, said Police Chief William A. Hoffman.

A homeowner who returned from a trip to the store discovered the house was filling with smoke and called 911, Hoffman said.

The first officers at the scene also discovered heavy black smoke, he said.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the damage was extensive and the home is currently uninhabitable, the police chief said.

A fire marshal investigation reported that the flames appeared to have started in the motor of a deck awning, he said.

No one was injured, he said.

In addition to Bay Head Fire Company, firefighters from Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant, Wall and Brick also responded to the scene, according to an Instagram post by Bay Head fire officials. Police and first aiders from Mantoloking and Point Pleasant also assisted, according to the fire company.

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Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bay Head house fire traced to awning motor: police chief