Fatality: Betty Matero dies in fatal Stafford house fire

Betty Matero dies in fatal Stafford house fire

Fatal Stafford house fire death of Betty Matero – Obituary

A 92-year-old resident lost her life and two others suffered injuries following an early morning fire in Stafford on Friday, according to authorities.

Emergency crews responded to the blaze around 1:20 a.m. at a home on Yeoman Road in the Ocean Acres neighborhood, officials from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office reported.

Two individuals managed to get out of the burning home and were transported to specialized burn treatment facilities in Philadelphia. Both survivors were reported to be in stable condition.

Betty Matero was later identified as the victim who perished in the incident. Officials said she was unable to escape the residence and succumbed to her injuries. The Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that smoke inhalation was the cause of her death.

Investigators determined that the fire began outside the home along the southeast exterior wall, specifically in an outdoor storage container. Authorities concluded the incident was accidental, with evidence pointing to malfunctioning lithium-ion batteries as the likely source.

Police temporarily urged residents to stay away from the intersection of Yeoman Road and Commodore Road while emergency personnel remained at the scene.