School Media Specialist ID'd As Victim Of Toms River Fire

Sara Trahey, 33, could not be rescued from the fast-moving fire at her home in Toms River.

Her husband, Jeff, and their three young children managed to escape as firefighters arrived late Friday night.

The fire broke out about 11 p.m. on 15th Street in the Silverton section of Toms River and rapidly spread to four neighboring houses due to strong winds, authorities said.

Lakewood School District Superintendent Laura Winters said in a statement: "Sara’s many contributions to her students and fellow staff members will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Trahey family at this very difficult time."

Longtime friends knew Trahey as "Goody," derived from her maiden name Goodwin.

The Trahey Memorial Fund GoFundMe page, which was created Saturday, reads: "Sara was the loving wife of Jeff, and the mother of three beautiful children ages, 2, 7 and 9.

"Sara was loved and respected in the community, and her death has left a hole in our hearts and lives. Sara was the media specialist at Ella G Clarke Elementary School and touched the lives of so many children," the GoFundMe tribute says.

The Silver Bay Elementary PTO, an elementary school in the Silverton section, on their Facebook page remembered Trahey as someone who volunteered for many fundraising events who "will truly be missed."

In a letter to parents, Winters wrote that Trahey "was an outstanding Educator who cared very deeply about the success and wellbeing of each and every one of her students."

The home in Silverton was fully engulfed when responders arrived, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

The intensity and scope of the blaze kept responders from getting to the victim, Billhimer said.

More than 60 area firefighters responded. A Toms River police officer was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment for smoke inhalation, and released.

An investigation was continuing.

Here is the link to the GoFundMe account titled The Trahey Memorial Fund. 

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