Manchester senior loses house and pet in Sunday fire

Sunday afternoon's smoky blaze that drove a Manchester 75-year-old from her home is deemed not suspicious, but she lost the house and her pet, authorities said.

Police say the woman managed to escape the Falmouth Avenue fire in Crestwood Village VII, but she wasn't able to save her cat. Manchester's building inspector deemed the dwelling uninhabitable, authorities said.

It was reported at about 3:25 PM. Authorities said that the blaze stayed within the garage and destroyed a car housed in it, and also spewed heavy smoke that left damage throughout the house.

Firefighters from the Manchester, Whiting, Ridgeway, Lakehurst and Joint Base squads contained the flames. The probe continues under the auspices of the Ocean County Fire Marshall's office and Manchester Township Police.