Howell House Fire Will Prompt 'Numerous' Summonses: Township

HOWELL, NJ — A fire Monday night at 363 Lanes Pond Road is being investigated by various Howell agencies, and the township said that - after a preliminary investigation - it plans to issue summonses to the owners.

The fire resulted in no injuries, but multiple police and firefighting units were called out Monday night.

The township posted about its investigation on Facebook Tuesday afternoon, but could not yet provide specifics about what was learned from the site.

But it basically said it was fed up with "illegal uses and over-occupancy":

"We are aware of the events that occurred at 363 Lanes Pond Road in Howell (Monday) night. Based on investigations that have taken place throughout the night, we anticipate that Code Enforcement will be issuing numerous summonses to the property owner," the township said on its Facebook site.

The town also said it will rely on its short-term rental ordinance to go to court for an injunction against any improper use.

The property owner is listed as Avraham Lebovitz, according to property information website NJ Parcels. He bought it in April 2022 for $1,375,000, the site says.

Various real estate sites showed the property as a large, five-bedroom brick house, over 7,000 square feet, set off from the road on nearly 5 acres.

All occupants of the house safely escaped the fire, but the structure is "severely damaged," police and fire officials said Tuesday.

"At this time, the fire does not appear suspicious in nature and the investigation is ongoing," said Howell Detective Sgt. Peter Kuppler in a news release.

The fire is being investigated by the Howell Township Fire Bureau, Howell Township Detective Bureau and by Township Code Enforcement, he said.

The post on Facebook explained more about the investigation:

"We take health safety and welfare issues very seriously, and this is no exception. We will prosecute the matter in our own municipal court. In addition, we intend to rely on our short-term rental ordinance to send one of our special counsel into court in Freehold and to seek an injunction preventing future activities of this sort," the post said. It was attributed only to "Howell Township."

Howell Director of Community Development Matt Howard said he could not comment beyond the post.

"This is an active and ongoing investigation so we have no specific comment right now," he said, beyond the post.

Howard just last week told the Township Council how improper uses of properties in the township could be a safety concern, and how the township would aggressively address the problem.

And the post Tuesday said the township needs the public's help in identifying problems:

"We also need your help. The residents of this township know their neighborhoods. They know their neighbors and they know what happens. We cannot be everywhere at all times. So if you see activities in your neighborhood that concern you, please do not hesitate to contact Code Enforcement at 732-938-4500. If adequate evidence is presented, then Code Enforcement will be able to take action. But it cannot act on hearsay. We need to work together as a community."

The post concluded: "Illegal uses. Over-crowded residential properties. Over-occupancy of rentals. Changes of use without approvals. Construction without necessary permits. The township has zero tolerance for these issues."

Police received a 911 call about the fire at about 4:52 p.m. Monday, according to information put out by authorities.

Smoke and flames were visible from what police described as a "two-story, single family dwelling."

The occupants were out of the house before police arrived, and there were no reported injuries, police said.

The Howell Fire Bureau reported that, upon the arrival of the Southard Fire Department, "heavy fire conditions were present on the first floor in the northeast portion of the single-family residence."

Fire units responded and had the fire under control after about an hour from the time of dispatch, the fire bureau said in a statement.

"The structure was occupied at the time of the fire, and all occupants evacuated without injury prior to the arrival of fire crews. No injuries to any fire suppression personnel were reported," the fire bureau reported.

Responding units and agencies included Howell Police, Southard Fire Department, Ramtown Fire Department, Squankum Fire Department, Freewood Acres Fire Department, Adelphia Fire Company, Farmingdale Fire Company, Brick Township Fire Department, Wall Township Fire Company, Jackson Township Fire Department, Howell Police EMS, Howell Township First Aid Squad, Howell OEM, Howell Fire Bureau, Howell Township Code Enforcement and Community Development, New Jersey Natural Gas, JCP&L.