The Coaster
Thursday, June 1, 2023
No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Coaster
No Result
View All Result
Home Ocean Grove

Arson Suspected in 2017 Ocean Grove Fire

by The Coaster Editorial Staff
July 26, 2018
in Ocean Grove
34
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare via EmailShare on Twitter

 

Coaster file photo – The Ocean Grove fire on March 3, 2017.

By DON STINE

Both county and federal officials have recently confirmed that a massive fire in Ocean Grove on March 3 last year, that destroyed or damaged seven buildings, appears to be arson and that the investigation into the fire is being reopened.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have reopened their investigation after the two agencies realized there had been a communications failure in the investigation.

“The case is reopened and we are working in conjunction with the ATF. The findings of the ATF report state that it was an intentional fire,” Christopher Swendeman, a spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office, said.

The ATF report did not identify a specific suspect, but it stated that it is probable that either an arsonist or vagrant deliberately set fire to the structure in a location where fire should not otherwise be present. The fire started in the early-morning hours in the vacant Warrington Hotel and caused $10 million worth of damage and displaced 98 residents.

The ATF ended their investigation on Oct. 13 last year and the Prosecutor’s Office ended its inquiry at the end of November. The ATF had identified several persons of interest regarding the possible arson but the agency’s counterpart at the Prosecutor’s Office never answered or returned phone calls or emails.

Officials at both agencies acknowledge fault and said they will reopen the investigation. Prosecutors said they believed the ATF was running the investigation and didn’t realize that the agency was seeking its help.

On March 23 last year, The Coaster ran an article raising the possibility that several Ocean Grove fires could have been the result of a serial arsonist.

In March, 2011 a four-alarm fire destroyed the former Surf Hotel and at least eight other buildings near Surf and Atlantic Avenues. The Surf Hotel was vacant and being refurbished into a 19-unit condominium at the time. The fire call came in at 5:11 a.m.

On March 13, 2010 a fire destroyed the historic Manchester Inn, which was more than 100 years old, and six homes on Ocean Pathway and Bath Avenue. The Manchester Inn was vacant at the time and the emergency call came in at 5:05 a.m.

The article said that all of the fires began in vacant buildings, all were in March, all were on windy days and all began in the early morning hours under mysterious circumstances.

Ocean Grove fire official Ron Cole said the he is glad that the fire is being investigated again.

“It gives some peace of mind that it is being looked into again and, hopefully, they will get to the bottom of this. I hope there is an outcome to this and I hope the arsonist is eventually found. We can’t keep having this happen in Ocean Grove,” he said.

Related Posts

Ocean Grove Burglar Arrested

May 31, 2023
$500,000 Grant For Fitness Path

Ocean Grove Residents Complain About Beach Badges Featuring a Cross

May 31, 2023
Ocean Grove Group Hosting Winter Social

Ocean Grove Group Hosting Winter Social

January 30, 2023
Ocean Grove Ladies Auxiliary Raised $58,000 for Projects

Pilot Parking Program is Topic Of Special Meeting in Ocean Grove

January 25, 2023
Festive Events at Jersey Shore Arts Center

Festive Events at Jersey Shore Arts Center

December 6, 2022
Holiday Art Market

Holiday Art Market

November 29, 2022

Trending This Week

Ocean Grove Burglar Arrested

May 31, 2023
$500,000 Grant For Fitness Path

Ocean Grove Residents Complain About Beach Badges Featuring a Cross

May 31, 2023
2 Lawsuits Filed Over Neptune City’s Marijuana Ordinance

In Neptune Another Cannabis Business OK’d

May 31, 2023
In Asbury Park School Budget Features Substantial Tax Boost

In Asbury Park School Officials Discuss Resurrecting Alternate School

May 31, 2023

Advertisement

Advertise Online with The Coaster

Advertise on The Coaster to reach countless new customers for your local business.

START ADVERTISING TODAY

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to get a free weekly newsletter to your inbox.

Subscribe

Contact Us

The Coaster
1011 Main St
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Phone: 732-775-3010
FAX: 732-775-8345
editor@thecoaster.net

Email Newsletter »

All Articles

Search Our Site

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Browse News by Town
    • Allenhurst
    • Asbury Park
    • Avon
    • Bradley Beach
    • Deal
    • Interlaken
    • Loch Arbour
    • Long Branch
    • Neptune
    • Neptune City
    • Ocean Grove
    • Ocean Township
    • Tinton Falls
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Subscribe / Renew

© 2023 The New Coaster, LLC. All rights reserved. • Privacy Policy