Car fire at Manchester shopping plaza injures woman and damages multiple vehicles
Manchester, NJ — A vehicle fire that erupted in a shopping center parking lot Thursday morning left a 79-year-old woman with burn injuries and damaged two additional cars before firefighters brought the blaze under control.
The incident occurred around 11:16 a.m. at the Manchester Plaza Shopping Center when officers responded to reports of a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, they found a blue 2018 Toyota Camry engulfed in flames from the engine compartment. The fire quickly spread to two nearby parked vehicles — a white 2013 Honda Accord and a silver 2005 Nissan Altima.
Emergency crews from four area fire departments, including Manchester Volunteer, Lakehurst Volunteer, Ridgeway Volunteer, and Manchester Career Fire Departments, responded to the scene and successfully extinguished the fire.
The driver and registered owner of the Toyota Camry, Ann Dacunto of Manchester, suffered burns to her hands and face. She was treated at the scene and transported by Manchester Township EMS to Community Medical Center for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord sustained heavy fire damage and were towed from the scene, while the Nissan Altima had only minor damage and was driven away.
Police say the cause of the fire remains undetermined, though no signs of suspicious activity were discovered in the initial assessment. The incident is under investigation by the Manchester Police Department and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office.
A portion of the shopping center parking lot was shut down for approximately two hours during the fire response and investigation.
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Key Points
- A Toyota Camry caught fire in the Manchester Plaza parking lot, injuring its 79-year-old driver
- Flames spread to two other nearby vehicles, causing extensive damage to one
- Investigators have found no evidence of foul play as the fire remains under review
