OCEAN COUNTY PROSECUTOR RELEASES UPDATE INTO THE INVESTIGATION OF 167 ACRE WILDLAND FIRE
" Investigation Is Active & Ongoing Into The March 14th Wildland Fire In Lakewood & Brick Townships."
June 14, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP, NJ.- On Monday, June 14, 2021, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced an Update with the investigation into the Wildland Fire that occurred on Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Lakewood Township and Brick Township, New Jersey. Though ongoing, presently the investigation remains at an impasse.
The investigation is being conducted by The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit- Arson Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and The Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
On March 19, 2021, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced that the fires origin had been identified, along with a determination that the fire had been intentionally set.
Since the March 19th announcement, The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit- Arson Squad has been working in conjunction with other Law Enforcement Agencies has been attempting to identify the individual or individuals responsible for starting the fire, which resulted in the destruction of 167 acres of land, the obliteration of a commercial establishment, a Firefighter who suffered cardiac arrest while battling the fire, and the evacuation of hundreds of people from the area.
Detectives have attempted to interview sixty potential witnesses and reviewed video recordings from areas surrounding the fire. The vast majority of witnesses have been less than cooperative with the investigation. Detectives are currently at an impasse, at this time.
Prosecutor Billhimer is asking if any member of the public has any information surrounding the horrific March 14th Wildland Fire to please contact Detective Thomas Haskell with The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 929-2027, extension 3953.
FILED UNDER JUNE 14, 2021: LAW, OCEAN: