NATIONAL PARK, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — More than two dozen acres in South Jersey burned in a brush fire that officials believe was intentionally set. West Deptford police say they have identified a "person of interest."
The fire started just before 4 p.m. Sunday in National Park, Gloucester County. The property, on Grove Avenue, is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers, according to National Park Emergency Management Coordinator Thomas Sullivan.
“The National Park Fire Department has plans for this specific area because it is a very hard area to get to,” Sullivan told NBC10. “Two layers, a lower bowl and an upper bowl. It’s dirt terrain, hills — so it is very difficult to fight.”
Sullivan said the Army Corps keeps dredge materials on the property, and there are a lot of weeds and debris in the area.
Ten fire companies responded to the scene. The fire was contained to about 25 to 30 acres, according to the National Park Fire Department. Crews were in nearby neighborhoods as a precaution, fearing the fire would spread to homes because of the direction of the wind.
Sullivan said the West Deptford Police Department is handling the investigation. Initially, he said someone had been taken into custody. Police are now saying there have been no arrests, but they have identified a "person of interest."
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the person, their motive or the exact cause of the fire.
CORRECTION: Initially, a National Park emergency management official said someone was taken into custody, but the West Deptford Police Department is saying there have been no arrests.