Fireman Injured in N. Middletown Blaze

There is no word yet on the condition of a firefighter who was hurt in the early morning North Middletown fire in which dangerous interiour conditions forced firefighters to battle the blaze from the outside, in what they called a "defensive mode."

The firefighter was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Middletown Township Fire Department Spokesman John Isaksen said. His name was not released. 

Since "the fire had burnt away the majority of the floor of the first story" of the home at 396 Thompson Avenue, Isaksen said.

The call came in on Monday morning at 4:56 a.m., as a "smoke condition in the residence, possible structure fire," he added. "The residents of the home discovered the fire when they arrived home early in the morning."

When about 50 firefighters from , , , and fire companies arrived, they encontered what Isaksen described as heavy fire in the first floor and basement of the two-story home.

Because of the heavy fire, smoke and interior damage, it was deemed unsafe by , who was commander at the scene of the blaze. It was fought from the outside and was deemed under control by Spears within roughly an hour and a half, by 6:30 a.m., Isaksen said. 

The house is uninhabitable, he added, and has major structural damage. 

In addition to the fire companies, assisting at the scene were: the fire department's Air Unit, Fire Police, and Middletown Township EMS units. 

The fire's cause is being investigated by the Middletown Township Fire Prevention Bureau in conjunctio with the Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s office. 

As of 10 p.m., Isaksen had no further information on the injured firefighter. He said he will inform us as soon as he has any kind of update and/or name to share. Patch will update this story as new information is received.