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The victim, identified as a Lakewood School District employee, died of smoke inhalation and fire-related injuries, it was reported on Monday.
An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Detective Bureau and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit has determined that the cause of the structure fire that occurred on Friday night in the Silverton section of Toms River was accidental, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
Officials did not release details about how the fire began.
Killed in the wind-whipped fire was Sara Trahey, 33, an elementary school media specialist and mother of three.
Her husband, Jeff, and their three young children escaped the blaze about 11 p.m. Friday.
Upon the arrival of emergency personnel, the home was fully engulfed with the fire spreading into four neighboring residences. Attempts by police and fire personnel to rescue Mrs. Trahey were unsuccessful, Billhimer said.
Lakewood School District Superintendent Laura Winters said in a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Trahey family at this very difficult time."
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.
Their mother worked as the media specialist at Ella G Clarke Elementary School.
"Please keep in mind what this family is going through at this time. This is a tragedy that no family should ever have to deal with,” Billhimer said in a press statement.
More than 60 area firefighters responded. A Toms River police officer was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment for smoke inhalation, and released the next morning.
More than 900 people have donated more than $76,000 to a memorial fund created for the Trahey family. Here is the link to the GoFundMe account titled The Trahey Memorial Fund.
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