Wednesday, September 2, 2015

4 killed in house fire in Long Branch, NJ; investigators believe it was intentionally set


Kala Rama reporting live in New Jersey
A family of four was killed by a fire that was apparently set inside their Long Branch home.

The fire is not considered an accident, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor who said the victims appear to have sustained injuries from more than just the fire. He did not elaborate.

A family of four was apparently trapped inside the Joline Avenue house, which went up in flames at around midnight. Lyndon "Shane" Beharry, 35; Amanda Morris, 29; and their two children, Brian, 4, and Brandon, 7, were killed.

Rescuers attempted to enter the house but were pushed back. "Police tried to get in but the house was fully involved," Long Branch Public Safety Director Jason Roebuck said.

Beharry, known by co workers as "Shane," was a 16-year veteran of the Long Branch Department of Public Works.

The prosecutor is not ruling out the potential of a homicide-suicide. The fire appears to have started at multiple sections of the structure.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Local streets were closed for the investigation