On April 13, 2014, at approximately 5:32 p.m., Manchester Township Police was notified by the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service about an active brush fire in the wooded area located behind Hook and Hoof Gun Club at 298 Route 539. The State Forest Fire tower first noticed the heavy black smoke condition and alerted the local police and fire department.
The Whiting Fire Department and the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service located an active brush fire off of a dirt access road behind the gun club. The fire was contained to a one-half acre wooded area and was extinguished with the use of a NJ State Forest Fire aircraft.
This incident is currently under investigation by Manchester Detective Chris Hemhauser. Also assisting Manchester Police is the Ocean County Fire Marshall, the NJ State Forest Fire Service and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CIU unit.
Anyone who may have information or who may have seen any suspicious vehicles in the area is asked to contact Manchester Police at 732-657-6111.