Overhang hampers efforts to fight blaze LONG BRANCH — An overhanging carport on a Long Branch building interfered with attempts to extinguish a fire at a home on Bath Avenue. It took 40 firefighters three hours to extinguish the structure fire because the fire truck was unable to get close to the structure due to a low hanging carport attached to the front of the building, according to reports. “The fire hose had to be hand-stretched from Bath Avenue and ground ladders were used in place of the ladder trucks,” Detective Lt. Bruce Johantgen said. The fire is still under investigation by city officials. On April 30 at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Long Branch Fire and Police departments responded to a vacant two-story wood frame structure that was “heavily involved in fire,” according to Johantgen. “The structure was a garage type with living quarters on the second floor,” he said. The building is currently owned by Hilbe Management Co., of Long Branch, and is in the process of being sold, according to reports. The Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in the investigation.