Woman dies in blaze that destroys home in Belmar

Woman dies in blaze that destroys home in Belmar

BELMAR−A fire that engulfed and then destroyed a three-story home on Surf Avenue claimed the life of the elderly woman who lived there, a family member said.

Kevin Colie, 58, told the Asbury Park Press that his mother, Frances Colie, 93, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after the 4 pm blaze.

Firefighters work the scene of a fatal fire at Surf Ave.  in Belmar, NJ Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Firefighters work the scene of a fatal fire at Surf Ave. in Belmar, NJ Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Colie said his family owned the house for about 50 years, since Colie was in the third grade.

He said they had recently done renovations at the house.

Borough Administrator Kevin Kane was at D’Jais Oceanview Bar and Cafe at 4 pm for a meeting on a borough fundraiser when he smelled smoke around 4 pm and headed in the direction of the fire about a block away.

By the time he arrived, the house “was fully engulfed,” he said.

Firefighters work the scene of a fatal fire at Surf Ave.  in Belmar, NJ Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Firefighters work the scene of a fatal fire at Surf Ave. in Belmar, NJ Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Firefighters work the scene of a fatal fire at Surf Ave.  in Belmar, NJ Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Noah K. Murray-Correspondent/Asbury Park Press

Firefighters work the scene of a fatal fire at Surf Ave. in Belmar, NJ Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Noah K. Murray-Correspondent/Asbury Park Press

“There was a big, black smoke rising out of it,” he said.

He described the home as a three-story structure although the first floor looked to be an elevation for flood resistance.

At 7:45 pm workers were pulling down the charred remnants of the house with heavy demolition equipment.

Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Belmar NJ fire: woman dies in blaze on Surf and 18th avenues