HOWELL, NJ – Howell Police and Detectives responded to a brush fire near the Toscana development on Ft. Plains Rd. The area was secured, and access roads were closed as Southard and Adelphia Fire Departments and the NJ State Forest Fire Service worked to extinguish the blaze.
A low-flying airplane assisted in containing the fire by dumping water over the affected area.
An investigation revealed that the fire started due to a homeowner on Rockspray Ct burning wood in their backyard fire pit. A strong gust of wind blew embers into a nearby landscaping bed, which caught fire and spread to a wooded area across Ft. Plains Rd.
The NJ State Forest Fire Service opted not to pursue criminal charges as the incident caused minimal damage and appeared accidental.
Responding agencies included Howell Police Department, Adelphia Fire Department, Southard Fire Department, State Forest Fire Service, and Howell Police EMS.