BREAKING: Dozens of Firefighters Battling Historic Wildfire in Lakewood; Multiple Structures Destroyed [VIDEOS & PHOTOS]

Dozens of firefighters are battling a historic wildfire that began in the forest near Airport Road in Lakewood at approximately 1:30 PM this afternoon.

The fire, aided by strong winds and dry weather, quickly engulfed several structures, with at least one being completely destroyed. The blaze then moved towards Route 70, threatening numerous businesses there, including the Lowe’s on Route 70 whose roof caught on fire.

State and local fire service authorities shut a handful of major roadways, including sections of the Garden State Parkway and Route 70, as fire crews fought against the blaze. Most of the roadways have since been reopened.

The Lakewood Blue Claws’ stadium parking lot is being used as a staging area for emergency vehicles, with about 30 vehicles, including numerous tankers, currently stationed there.

The fire is still out of control and continues to wreak havoc in the southern section of Lakewood, as well as parts of Brick, with dozens of businesses in its deadly path. At least 29 homes in Brick suffered damage from the flames, and three were reportedly made uninhabitable.

At least two firefighters have been injured. One suffered a medical emergency while on the scene of the blaze, and his condition is serious but doctors believe his prognosis is good. Another firefighter was injured in the line of duty; his condition is stable and his injuries non-life-threatening.

As of 9 PM, LPD Captain Steve Allaire said that a large portion of the fire has been brought under control.

Police Chief Greg Meyer told TLS that emergency personnel will be stationed at the Blue Claws stadium for the duration of the evening, as the fire continues smoldering and crews wet down affected areas throughout the night.

DEVELOPING.

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25 COMMENTS

  3. Scary because the first of Nisan is when Nadav and Avihu perished for taking an aish zarah. I’ve heard that tragedies can chv happen. Now there is this massive fire in Lakewood today on this date.

  8. Attention all tenants Though i feel terrible for you and hope your ok If you do need new office space there’s a great guy that will do anything to get you the perfect space His name is Ezzy katz and can be reached at 732-556-8764
    I got my office from him about a year ago and was so impressed with his service.

  16. Several days ago, TLS reported that a chopper was sent in to investigate a brush fire in Lakewood. Is that fire connected to this one?

  18. We have to think to ourselves, “What was the message Hashem was trying to send us with this massive fire?!”
    It’s very possible that the message was to the Lakewood community and by extension, the municipality who have in effect put a moratorium on new developments. How often do those of us who where fortunate to buy a few years ago and are comfortably living in our homes think about the plight of young families looking to buy houses now?! How often do we think about that the only options of homes for these families over 2,000 sf are far out in Jackson or Toms River, and at this point already cost more than $500,000 (and that’s without a basement rental). There are thousands of families going crazy in their basement rentals because this town has gotten to stogy and can ch”v cannot allow “overdevelopment”. It affects these couples shalom bayis, stress levels, and overall quality of life. The traffic bothers you? So build more roads!! We were able to afford houses because at that point a new development was built every few years to accommodate the growth. It could be the message is, if we don’t want to use all those hundreds of acres for something constructive, Hashem will use it for massive destruction.

    • “The only option for these families are far out in Jackson or Toms River”.
      Oy vey!
      There are more families living in those towns today than were living in Lakewood 40 years ago.
      Lakewood then was more “far out” from Brooklyn than Jackson and Toms River are from Lakewood today.
      They survived. Could you believe it?
      Why should the current residents of Lakewood, who already live here, live uncomfortably because you can’t think of moving “far out” to nice communities that are a ten-minute drive from all amenities you need?

  20. To comment number 21. If the price of a home is supposed to cost $500,000.00 than that’s the price. After all, what should a developer do, give it away? Developers are entitled to earn a living too. What would be so terrible about residing in Jackson township or Toms River? If young couples can’t manage living in a cramped basement rental & can’t afford to purchase a home, who’s problem is that? Is this the developer’s problem? It shouldn’t be. Either the young couples need to improve their income & save their money for a down pmt. towards a house or rent better living quarters. Klal Yisrael should have a meaningful and zeesun Pesah. Bore’ Olam should protect us all.

    • I think you missed his point. He seems to be saying that if there is enough development then the laws of supply and demand will dictate a normal price. Even if a developer wants to sell units for over $700k, it is affordable when you factor in basement income. The problem starts when there is NO new houses, and people have to pay $500k for houses far out with no basement income that just 2 few years ago were selling for $350k. No matter how you look at it, something is wrong with that equation.

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