Fireworks Cause Huge Wildfire, Man Missing After Falling Into Lake

NEW JERSEY — Flames spread across 4,000 acres of Wharton State Forest as authorities said it was caused by a firework device. Meanwhile, a man was sent to hospital after being injured in a fireworks explosion over the weekend in New Jersey.

Get caught up on the news that made headlines in New Jersey this weekend:

Man Stabbed At American Dream Mall Parking

A man was stabbed at a parking deck at American Dream mall on Saturday night, NJ State Police said.

At 10:56 p.m. on Saturday, troopers were called to an unspecified parking deck at American Dream. On arrival, they found a 28-year-old man with multiple stab wounds on his body.

He was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, Raquan Howard, 29, of Jersey City, was located in the parking deck. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon with unlawful purpose and criminal mischief.

He was lodged in Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Fireworks Explosion Sends Man To Hospital

A Manville man was sent to hospital with injuries after a fireworks explosion on Saturday night.

On July 6 at around 8:15 p.m., Manville Police were notified of an explosion in the Valley section of the borough and responded along with Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. Police and medical personnel treated a 34-year-old Bridgewater man for torso injuries sustained from an improvised fireworks device exploding, Deputy Chief Craig Jeremiah said.

He was treated on scene and then airlifted to a New Brunswick Trauma Hospital.

The investigation is continuing.

Illegal Fireworks Caused 4K-Acre Wildfire In South Jersey Forest

Illegal fireworks caused a 4,000-acre wildfire in South Jersey over the weekend, officials said.

The device was lit inside Wharton State Forest and ignited the fire late Thursday — the Fourth of July — according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Several communities across the region can see the smoke and smell its odor.

The Tea Time Hill Wildfire was discovered shortly after 9 a.m. Friday and continued to burn on Sunday afternoon.

Fireworks are prohibited in state parks and forests.

The wildfire was burning near the Batona Campground and Apple Pie Hill, located around Tabernacle Township, Burlington County. The campground was evacuated on Friday.

Previously, the fire threatened a residential structure and a hunting club facility. But no properties were at risk of damage as of Sunday morning, officials said.

Anyone with information that could aid the investigation can call the New Jersey State Park Police tip line at 844-PARK-TIP (844-727-5847).

Woman Charged With Harboring Fugitive In Toms River Standoff

A Seaside Heights woman has been charged with harboring a fugitive in connection with the standoff in Toms River on Friday, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Saturday.

Elizabeth C. Mascarelli, 29, is accused of allowing Maxwell A. Johnston, 35, of Manchester, to stay with her in the house on Ravenwood Drive for four days, despite knowing of his alleged involvement in the slaying of Gabriella M. Caroleo on June 27, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Murder and weapons charges were announced against Johnston on July 3 by the prosecutor's office, which said he had been added to the national fugitives database.

Read more: Fugitive Sought In Fatal Shooting Of Woman, 25, In Manchester

By Friday, authorities located Johnston at the home on Ravenwood Drive, and detectives from the prosecutor's Major Crime Unit along with U.S. Marshals and Manchester Township police went to make the arrest.

When they arrived at the house, U.S. Marshals convinced three people there to leave, but Johnston and Mascarelli remained in the house, and authorities learned he was armed, Billhimer said.

Negotiators attempted to convince Johnston to surrender peacefully, but he refused. After several hours, Mascarelli came out of the house and was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River to be treated for injuries sustained throughout the standoff, he said.

Authorities then used a drone to check the home and through the drone found Johnston dead in a bedroom with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head, Billhimer said.

There was no estimate given of how long he had been dead before Mascarelli left the house.

Authorities then learned Mascarelli had allowed Johnston to stay at the house with her for four days, he said.

"As such, Mascarelli was charged with hindering a fugitive from justice, and served with the charge on a complaint at the hospital," Billhimer said.

She is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River pending a first appearance and a detention hearing.

Man Goes Missing After Falling In NJ Lake

A man went missing on Saturday after falling off a paddleboat in a Sussex County lake, according to reports.

NJ State troopers were called to East Shore Trail around 6:44 p.m. on Friday on reports of a man going missing in Kittatinny Lake, NJ.com reported.

The report said the man fell into the water while on a standup paddleboard and did not remerge. The search for the man continued on Saturday.

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