A brush fire spreads in Brick Township, March 14, 2021. (Credit: Jersey Shore Fire Response/Facebook)
A wildfire that claimed 167 acres of land, led to the cardiac arrest of a firefighter and damaged or destroyed several buildings – suspected to be the result of arson – in Brick and Lakewood in March is still under investigation, though authorities seem to have reached a standstill.
The wildfire occurred March 14, 2021. Five days later, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said the fire was likely set intentionally.
A brush fire spreads in Brick Township, March 14, 2021. (Credit: Jersey Shore Fire Response/Facebook)
|
|
A brush fire spreads in Brick Township, March 14, 2021. (Credit: Laurelton Fire Company/Facebook)
“Detectives have attempted to interview approximately 60 potential witnesses and reviewed video recordings from cameras in proximity to the fire,” Billhimer said Monday, in an update. “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.”
The prosecutor’s office is now reaching out to the public in search of anyone who can assist investigators.
Anyone in possession of information with regard to the wildfire in Lakewood and Brick townships is asked to contact Sgt. Thomas Haskell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732- 929-2027, ext. 3953.
