3 escape New Year’s morning house fire in Toms River

TOMS RIVER — Three people escaped a Jersey Shore house fire in the early hours of New Year's Day but five firefighters were injured.

The fire broke out after 5 a.m. at the single-level home on 15th Street in the Silverton section. Silverton Fire Chief Robert Sinnott told News 12 New Jersey that a backdraft was to blame.

The residents were outside the home by the time firefighters arrived.

Firefighter Mike Mooney was burned as he exited the home when a "flash" condition occurred, according to the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company in a post on their Facebook page. He was treated and released for his injuries.

A cause of the fire remained under investigation Tuesday by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ