Prosecutor: Fire Claims a Life

An early Friday morning fire has claimed the life of a longtime Long Branch resident, authorities from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office reported.

Several calls were fielded by Long Branch police reporting on March 29 at 2:07 a.m. a structure fire at 135 Charles Street. Police and fire responders said that upon arrival there was “heavy fire activity.”

Victim Thomas Booth III, 67, was found inside, removed from the home, given CPR and transported Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he was subsequently pronounced dead at 3:25 a.m. A post-mortem exam was scheduled for later that day.

With no further injuries reported, the fire was under control by 2:34 a.m., authorities said.

Assisting were: Long Branch and Neptune fire departments and Long Branch, Elberon and Monmouth Beach First Aid squads.

— Edited release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office