Improper Disposal Of Fireworks Lead To Berkeley House Fire

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - The improper disposal of fireworks at a Vanderwell Avenue home early New Year's morning led to evacuations and the condemnation of the house, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Berkeley police responded to the home at 1 a.m. on a report of a structural fire. When they arrived they found it was an active vehicle and structural fire and began to evacuate the surrounding houses, the chief said.

When the blaze was extinguished, power and water to the home was shut off.

"Upon completion of the investigation it was determined that the source of the fire came from fireworks that were improperly discarded into a township trashcan on the side of the residence by the renters," the chief said. "The house was deemed unsafe by construction officials."

Firefighters from the Bayville, Pinewald, Manitou Park and Lanoka Harbor fire companies responded.

Detective William Somers, the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office, Jersey Central Power & Light crews, the Berkeley Township Municipal Utilities Authority and the township construction department also responded, the chief said.

Sergeant Michael Ptaszenski Patrolman Ryan Wahl and Patrolman Michael Tanis were the first responding officers.

Logo: Courtesy of Bayville Volunteer Fire Company