Jeep Fire Closes Route 539 In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Firefighters extinguished a Jeep that caught fire on Route 539 on Wednesday afternoon, shutting down the road for about an hour, police said.

There were no injuries, Manchester Capt. Albert Vega said.

Tomas Pimentel, 65, of Manchester, said he was driving south on Route 539 shortly before 5L45 p.m. when the engine in his black 2012 Jeep Wrangler failed, Vega said.

He pulled over and saw smoke coming from the Jeep and got out immediately, Vega said. There were no passengers with Pimentel.

Route 539 was closed in both directions while the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company brought the fire under control and extinguished it, he said.

The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire did not appear to be suspicious in nature and was likely caused by an electrical issue, Vega said.

"The Manchester Township Police Department would like to thank the Whiting Volunteer Fire Company for their rapid response and professionalism in successfully containing and extinguishing the fire," he said.