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The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed city resident James Famularo died in Monday afternoon’s two alarm fire at his townhome on Park Avenue. Famularo’s wife Shonna was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for non life threatening injuries, Spokesman Christopher Swendemon said.

Many know Famularo, 52, for his 20 years of community service. The father of two attended the University of Pittsburgh for his undergraduate  and graduate degrees, obtaining a master’s degree in public administration.

Famularo [at right] was a former member of the Asbury Park Board of Education, former assistant executive director of the Asbury Park Housing Authority, and former assistant city manager. In recent years, he made bids for a seat on the Board of Education and campaigned to have quality of life ordinances placed on the November ballot. Famularo also served as a substitute teacher in the district in recent years and helped administer the Asbury Park Youth Football league.

“His impact and influence with our children was far reaching,” Superintendent Sancha Gray said. “We are saddened by this loss and know the impact this will have on our students.”

Gray said the district will have counselors available in the coming days during the summer camp sessions.

“This is such an unfortunate event,” she said. “It is at times like this that we look to support our families in need; we will do something in the district to provide support for the family. Our hearts go out to his family.”  

The blaze broke out near 3:08 p.m. Monday Fire Chief Kevin Keddy said. A box alarm, calling in one half of the paid fire units department and mutual aid from Neptune and Wanamassa fire companies, was immediately issued. Once the fire spread through the attic of neighboring townhomes a second alarm was issued, thereby calling in the remainder of the off duty members, with mutual aid assistance from Tinton Falls and Wall Fire Departments, as well as first aid assistance from Neptune EMS.

Smoke could be seen billowing in the sky and neighbors quickly lined a one block radius.

“Look at all that smoke, my sister lives there, she owns that house,” Delonda Walker screamed belaboredly as she watched the blaze break through the roof. “There’s a pregnant child with a baby, its two kids and her husband.”

The grief of not knowing about her family’s safety against the backdrop of the increasing flames caused Walker to drop to her knees in tears. Minutes later an official told Walker her sister was en route to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

Mayor John Moor, who stood across the street from the fire, said three of the 8 townhomes were owned by his friends –  Famularo, former City official Jimmy Condos and Randy Thompson.

By 4:30 p.m. the Asbury Park Fire Department, with assistance from Wanamassa, Neptune, and other fire departments, were able to contain the blaze.

Among the first to spot the fire was neighbor Lynn Lewis, who saw the smoke when she came outside to walk a friends dog. Not knowing if the smoke was coming from her Eighth Avenue apartment building, Walker said she yelled out to her boyfriend David to evacuate the building.

“I wasn’t staying around to look,” she said, standing a block away from the scene. 

Members of the Asbury Park Fire Department could be seen attacking the flames from the rear of the home and the roof, where they could be seen cutting holes within inches of the blaze and heavy black smoke.

Resident Susan Maloney Mazurek said via social media, “Flames and heavy black smoke are present, APFD has Aerial ladder up to bldg, flames look to have spread to top floor, another Aerial ladder on scene n more water coming from ground…prayers that all people n animals have gotten out prayers.”

At least three dogs were rescued from the row of eight townhomes, which caused Bond Street Bar’s Shanna Haffner and her wife Dina to spring into action.

The two rallied those standing on the sidelines to bring animal crates to contain the rescued dogs and could be seen as late as 8:30 p.m. tending to the animals as the pet owners affected by the blaze made telephone calls, assessed damages and ran errands like buying dog food.

They also worked with a small team to find hotel rooms for those displaced. Haffner said the only two hotels that offered free solace to the five displaced families were the Empress and Hotel Tides.

At 7 p.m., Famularo’s family and friends lined the perimeter outside the investigative team’s barricade waiting for news.

Friend Daryl Hammary said Famularo ran back inside the home to save his wife but that details surrounding the incident were still unknown. 

“This is just so sad,” Sherrice Lyles said holding back tears.

Councilman Jesse Kendle said, “This is very sad news. I have known him since he was a young man.” 

Resident Randy Thompson said he got the call from his mother that their home was on fire. As he raced back from Middletown, he learned that the it was Famularo’s home that was on fire. His family and pets were safe but he expressed condolences to his neighbor’s family.

Pastor Warren Hall who, at 10 p.m., remained at the hospital with Famularo’s friends and family. 

“This is unbelievable,” Hall said. “It’s like can’t wrap your head around it. We would be remiss if we did acknowledge is heroism because he went in to save his wife. He was a hero in his life, in pursuit of his education, in his service to the community, as a role model for young African American men, and for what he did as a community leader. From his occupation and vocation, and even to his demise, he was a hero. I’m devastated and my heart goes out to his wife and children and his family.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Asbury Park Fire and Police departments, the Monmouth County Fire Marshal, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Keddy said.

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