Berkeley Police Investigating Mercedes SUV Blaze That Destroyed Vehicle

Berkeley Township police are investigating a fire that destroyed a Mercedes SUV on Fairwood Drive in the Toms River Shores section of the township recently, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Sgt. William Cullen, and Patrolmen Robert Flanegan, Clark Baranyay, Shawn Bowens and Taylor Butler responded to the home at 8:30 p.m. on July 26 on a report of a vehicle on fire.

When they arrived, they found the SUV full engulfed in flames. The vehicle's owner told police that shortly after he had arrived home from a store, his neighbor called to tell him his vehicle was smoking, the chief said.

The homeowner went outside and noticed smoke coming from the vehicle's cab. He grabbed a bucket of water and tried to put out the fire, but couldn't, DiMichele said.

Members of the Bayville Fire Department Station 17 arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Detective Santoro assisted with the investigation and the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office was notified.

Photo: Patch file photo