Fire Destroys Sandy-Damaged Home, Ignites Another in New Jersey

Authorities say a vacant Jersey Shore home damaged by Superstorm Sandy was destroyed by a fire that then spread to a neighboring residence that also was impacted by the storm.

No injuries were reported in the two Toms River fires, which were reported around 1:45 a.m. Sunday.

The Asbury Park Press reports that a couple who lived in the home damaged by the fires were able to safely escape after neighbors alerted them to the flames.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The newspaper says firefighters requested heavy equipment from the Toms River Township public works department to help remove debris at the scene, so they could extinguish hidden pockets of fire at the homes.