Car Explodes, Burns Down Ocean Acres House: Police

OCEAN ACRES, NJ — A house and a car were both significantly damaged Thursday when the car's gas tank exploded, causing itself and the house to catch fire, Stafford Township police said.

The fire at 1001 Vessel Lane was reported at about 2:15 p.m. on April 24, according to a news release.

While the home apparently had been vacant for several months, an adult man was working on a car in the house's garage, police said.

He attempted to remove debris from the car's gas tank when an explosion occurred, igniting both the car and the house, police said. The fire originated in the garage and spread to the house.

The man sustained minor burns to his arm, was assessed by EMS on the scene and refused further treatment, police said.

The fire was deemed to be accidental and is not considered suspicious at this time.