At least five people dead at burning mansion in New Jersey
Four people, including two children, are confirmed dead at a burning mansion in Colts Neck, N.J., authorities said.
More than 20 departments responded after the fire was reported at 12:30 p.m. on Willow Brook Road in Colts Neck, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon. The blaze that engulfed the mansion is being investigated as a possible arson.
The large fire was still burning as Gramiccioni, flanked by other county officials, confirmed the fatalities — three people found dead inside the mansion and one outside. The person found outside was male, he said, but Gramiccioni did not say whether the person had died of a gunshot wound as previously reported.
The size and strength of the fire made it difficult for authorities to identify the remains inside.
The names of the victims have not been released.
The county medical examiner had arrived and would be viewing the bodies. Contrary to previous reports, Gramiccioni said, a fifth fatality was not confirmed.
“I have heard reports about the possibility of five fatalities. I’d like to disabuse anyone of that notion at this point,” he said. “Right now we know of four. And we’re going to continue this investigation. As you can imagine, it’s quite fluid. It’s been going on a little over four hours.”
He also emphasized that there was no further danger to the community.
“We are investigating this as an arson, an intentional fire,” he said. “But I have nothing further in terms of investigating the fatalities that I can provide at this time.”
Officials are also investigating a fire that broke out earlier in the day at 27 Fulton Road in Ocean Township, at a home with family members connected to those in the mansion.
“That is an option or an angle that we continue to pursue,” Gramiccioni said. “There is a structure fire at that location. Whether we’re calling it (arson) at this point, we can’t get there. We are considering that as an option.”
He said he could not comment on whether anyone was in custody.
No previous police calls had been reported from the Colts Neck residence, police officials said.
Colts Neck is a well-to-do township where entertainment luminaries including Bruce Springsteen and Jon Stewart own property, the Asbury Park Press reported. Several cast members of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” reside there, the newspaper said.
Gramiccioni appealed for help in the investigation, asking anyone with information to contact the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office or Colts Neck Police Department.
“Even if your tip is small, or secondhand, any little bit can constitute a piece of the puzzle that might make things come into a clearer picture,” he said.
