Animals killed in Whiting barn fire

Numerous animals were killed when a fire consumed a barn in the Whiting section of Manchester on Thursday, authorities said.

Police responded to 318 Beckerville Road around 11:45 a.m. following a 911 call and observed a barn on the property fully engulfed in flames, according to a release from the Manchester Police Department. 

The owners told arriving police officers that there were animals inside the structure, the release said.

“Once the fire was extinguished it was learned that several animals from inside of the barn had perished as a result of the fire,” the release said. “This included at least three dogs, two goats, and an unknown number of cats and chickens.”

A horse escaped unharmed and was later corralled by the property owner, according to police. 

Residents from the adjacent house were safely evacuated by responding officers. 

Authorities said the fire is not suspicious in nature. The Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office is continuing the investigation. 

Units from the Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Department, New Egypt Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Department, Bamber Lakes Volunteer Fire Department, Cassville Volunteer Fire Department, and Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Department responded.

Also assisting on the scene were members of Whiting Volunteer First Aid, officers from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office, arson investigators from the Manchester Township Police Investigations Bureau, and the Manchester Township Animal Control Officer. Dsg. Larry Donato of the A.S.P.C.A. also responded and assisted at the scene.