Weeding Torch Blamed for NJ Waterfront Fire
By Joshua Chung
Source Asbury Park Press
BRICK - A three-alarm fire that destroyed one waterfront home and significantly damaged another last Monday was the result of a "hand-held weeding torch" used by the homeowner, according to Kevin Batzel, chief of the Brick Township Bureau of Fire Safety.
At 3:30 p.m. last Monday, dozens of firefighters, EMS personnel and law enforcement officers responded to Blue Cedar Drive in the Bay Harbor neighborhood after a woman, who is a residence of the home, started "burning weeds" in the front of the home with a torch, which ultimately ignited the large blaze, Batzel said.
"She was unaware she had ignited the combustibles around her home, while working on other portions of the property," Batzel said.
The woman often used the torch to clear weeds from her property, according to Batzel.
Firefighters were seen working to contain the inferno in strong wind gusts and numerous requests were made for additional manpower and equipment — including fire boats — were made from throughout the region.
During the battle, one firefighter suffered a minor burn, but was treated by emergency personnel at the scene, officials said
When first responders first arrives to the house at 31 Bay Way, heavy smoke and flames had forced a resident at home to flee, authorities have said.
The powerful winds helped the fire to spread to the upper portion of the second home at 29 Bay Way as well as one additional area on the property, said Sgt. Jim Kelly, a spokesman for the Brick Township Police Department.
The Brick Township fire companies of Pioneer Hose, Breton Woods, Laurelton and Herbertsville all responded to the blaze, authorities have said.
The Toms River fire companies of Silverton and East Dover; as well as borough fire companies from Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach and Brick EMS also responded to the scene.
Anyone with more information about the fire is asked to contact Brick Fire Safety Bureau Chief Kevin Batzel at 732-458-4100.
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