Uncooperative witnesses stymie Lakewood, NJ wildfire arson case
LAKEWOOD The investigation into who set a wildfire along the Garden State Parkway in March is at an impasse because of uncooperative witnesses.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer. said the fire was intentionally set but has not disclosed details about how the fire started or a motive for starting it.
He said on Monday that investigators have reached an impasse because nearly five dozen potential witnesses will not speak. Detectives have attempted to interview approximately 60 potential witnesses and reviewed video recordings from cameras in proximity to the fire, Billhimer said in a written statement. The vast majority of these potential witnesses have been less than cooperative with our investigation, and as such, we are currently at an impasse at this point in time.
LAKEWOOD – The threat of fire continues Monday after a wind-fueled wildfire closed the Garden State Parkway, burned at least 170 acres and damaged dozens of homes and commercial buildings in Lakewood and Brick. Several smaller fires also burned across the state on Sunday.
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service also said that one of its firefighters is in critical condition at a nearby hospital.
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Firefighters worked all night on the huge blaze that started about 1:30 p.m. Sunday off Airport Road, according to Lakewood Fire Chief John Yahr. One commercial building was “totally destroyed” by the fire, according to Yahr, while the another suffered significant damage.
170-acre wildfire in Lakewood damages dozens of homes, businesses 943thepoint.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 943thepoint.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Two Ocean County houses were damaged by fires caused by Hanukkah menorahs two nights in a row.
A fire at Ilan Court in Lakewood was started Monday by a menorah candle too close to the window shades, according to fire Chief John Yahr. That fire caused minor damage.
Yahr told The Lakewood Scoop that the family ran out of their house when the fire started but a neighbor was able to use a fire extinguisher to put out the initial flames.
A two-story house on Fiddlers Run in Toms River suffered major damage on Sunday night when a fire extinguisher failed to work on a small fire caused by an unattended menorah, according to Toms River Chief Fire Inspector Kevin Esposito.