On Sunday, October 26, 2025, at approximately 10:20 p.m., members of the Manchester Township Police Department responded to 5 Darien Court, in the Whiting section of town, for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, officers observed a single-family residential structure, fully engulfed in flames. All occupants of the residence were safely evacuated.
Residents were alerted to the fire by a neighbor who witnessed the flames from across the cul-de-sac. No injuries or smoke inhalation were reported on scene.
The two occupants of the residence, later identified as Wilfredo Ramos and Ada Meacham, reported that they were asleep inside of their bedroom, when they heard the fire alarms and then a neighbor banging on their windows. The residents’ two cats perished in the fire.
The following fire departments responded to assist: Whiting Volunteer Fire Department, Manchester Fire Department, Ridgeway Fire Department, United States Airforce Fire Department, New Egypt Fire Department, Pinewald Pioneer Fire Department, Bayville Fire Company, Lakehurst Fire Department, Forked River Fire Department, Mcguire-Dix Joint Base Fire Department and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office. Also assisting at the scene were Emergency Medical Technicians from Manchester Township Division of Emergency Services as well as South Toms River Emergency Medical Services. The fire is being investigated by Patrolman Gainey and Detective Steffen of the Manchester Police Department, and Zachary Sharp of the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office. Currently, the fire appears to be accidental in nature due to an electrical malfunction.