Two men killed in Belmar house fire

BELMAR — Flames engulfed a borough home, killing two people on Monday night

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty said the victims, two adult males along with a dog, died inside the home on 14th Avenue. Charles Webster, spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, said an autopsy will be performed to positively identify the men and a cause of death.

Webster said the cause of the fire, which broke out around 9:40 p.m., does not appear to be suspicious at this time. The prosecutor's office, the Monmouth County Fire Marshall's Office and Belmar Police and Fire are all part of the investigation.

Doherty said the two-story home is a year-round rental but was not owner-occupied.

Although some reports described the men as a father and son, Webster and Doherty said they could not immediately confirm that.

The Asbury Park Press reported witnesses watched the home burst into flames and saw smoke come from the roof of the charred structure. There is no word yet on the cause; the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office is investigating.

Doherty commended the "remarkable" efforts of the Belmar, Avon, Spring Lake, Wall and Neptune Fire Departments and thanked them for protecting the home next door and its residents.

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