Fence Company Blaze In Howell Ruled Arson

HOWELL, NJ — A February fire at a fencing company that destroyed wood supplies has been ruled arson, the Howell Township Police Department said.

The fire at Taylor Fence on Route 33 happened in the early hours of Feb. 15, police said at the time. Police were called twice that night, the first time at 11 p.m. for an odor of smoke at the nearby Angle Inn Mobile Home Park, and then again at 12:45 a.m. for the report of flames at Taylor Fence, Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

The fire was obvious upon arrival, Antunez said, as it was burning in a large section of wood fencing material piled 30 feet wide by 30 feet long and 20 feet high, he said. Firefighters from the Adelphia, Ramtown, Southard, Squankum and Freewood Acres fire companies battled the fire for several hours, Antunez said, assisted by large machinery that was brought in to separate the material.

An unidentified firefighter suffered a knee injury while fighting the fire, he said. A substantial amount of property was damaged in the fire, police said.

Howell police are seeking the public's help in identifying the person or people responsible for the fire, and Monmouth County Crimestoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person.

Contact Monmouth County Crimestoppers at 1-800-671-4400 or go online to www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

Photo via Howell Township Police