Vacant Store Catches Fire For 2nd Time In Month: Manchester PD

MANCHESTER, NJ — Authorities are investigating a fire in a vacant store at the Whiting Shopping Center, after the unit was found burning for the second time in a month.

Manchester police said police were called to the shopping center at 108 Lacey Road about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and found black smoke coming from the roof in the rear of the complex, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said.

Firefighters found an active fire in a vacant unit in the back section of the shopping center, he said, burning in one wall and extending up into the attic of the unit, he said.

The vacant unit sustained fire, water, and smoke damage, and a hair salon next door, the Charles Edwards “A” Salon, suffered similar damage, Malland said.

It was the second fire in the same unit over the last month, Malland said, and is considered suspicious. Manchester Patrolman Matthew Juralewicz is investigating, along with assistance from members of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, he said.

Firefighters from the Whiting, Manchester, Ridgeway and Lakehurst Borough volunteer fire departments responded as did firefighters from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, who assisted with the suppression and overhaul operations.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Juralewicz at 732-657-2009, ext. 6371. Information can be submitted anonymously through the “Tipline” link on the Manchester police department website.

Photos provided by Manchester Township Police