Fire destroys two units at apartment complex OCEAN TOWNSHIP - An early morning fire at the Middlebrook at Monmouth apartment complex on Deal Road destroyed two apartment units and displaced several residents last week. The cause of the fire is still undetermined and is currently being investigated by Ocean Township District 2 Fire Marshal Thomas Haege. On Jan. 25 at approximately 4:30 a.m., the Wanamassa Fire Company responded to a report of a structure fire at building 59 at the Middlebrook complex, according to police reports. Wanamassa Fire Company Chief Michael Evans said last week that upon arriving on the scene of the fire, he called for a second alarm, signaling a request for more manpower from the township's mutual aid departments, according to reports. "The fire was blowing out of the firstfloor apartment picture window and quickly spread to the second floor apartment," Evans said. "Our first engine arrived within five minutes. "Our guys did a tremendous job establishing a water supply and getting water on the fire," he said. Two apartments in the building were damaged in the fire and no residents of the complex were injured. A total of 85 firefighters responded to the fire, which was under control within an hour, according to police reports. "The cold weather was a factor," Evans said. "The water from our hose lines quickly froze, causing hazardous conditions for our firefighters." Three firefighters sustained minor injuries from falling on ice, according to Evans, who said none of the firefighters required medical attention.