Crime & Safety

Neptune Man Seriously Burned In Route 71 Fire

Man was treating insect infestation with gasoline

A Neptune City man who was treating an insect infestation by spraying gasoline around an apartment on Route 71 caused a flash fire that sent him to the hospital with burns, police said Tuesday.

Jorge Ariel Mora, 26, was spraying gasoline around an apartment behind Hooten Outdoor Power Equipment property at 1717 Route 71 shortly before 9 p.m. Monday when the fumes ignited by the pilot light of a stove, causing a flash explosion, according to a release from Sgt. Chad Clark.

The fire was extinguished by neighbors before emergency crews arrived, Clark said.

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Mora, who was moving into the apartment in the near future, suffered serious burns and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, by Wall Township First Aid and MONOC paramedics.

After his condition stabilized, Mora was taken to Saint Barnabas Burn Center, Livingston, Clark said.

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West Belmar Fire Department, Wall First Aid, New Jersey Natural Gas, and Jersey Center Power and Light responded, Clark said.  

The incident was investigated by the Wall Township Police Department, Wall Township Fire Bureau, Monmouth County Fire Marshall and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Clark said.


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