Errant Firework Causes Brush Fire In Meadowlands In Secaucus

SECAUCUS, NJ — There were several mishaps involving fireworks over the Independence Day weekend in New Jersey.

Sparks from post-game fireworks at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws stadium in Lakewood caused a somewhat large fire Monday night in Lakewood. The fire started less than three minutes into the July 4 fireworks display; see dramatic photos of the fire here.

Prior to that, on Sunday night a fire consumed a garage in Woodbridge Township; that fire was also started by people setting off fireworks either inside or near the garage, said Woodbridge Police. Read that story: Fireworks Caused Woodbridge Garage Fire, Township Says

And on Thursday night, June 30, a wayward firework apparently landed in the bushes in Secaucus and started a small brush fire.

This is according to Secaucus Fire Chief Joe Schoendorf who said he witnessed the fire start and helped put it out.

"The fireworks went off at about 9 p.m. Thursday from Mill Creek Point Park and towards the very tail end of the show, at about 9:15 I noticed a brush fire had started. The fire started about 10 feet down on the right side of the Secaucus Greenway," said the fire chief.

Schoendorf said the Secaucus all-volunteer fire department always has several fire trucks stationed by the fireworks every year, just in case something like this happens.

"And that's exactly what happened here, and why we do that," he said. "I believe it was an errant firework that went off incorrectly into the brush and it ignited. It's absolutely necessary that we be there and that's why we do standby for the fireworks show every year."

Schoendorf said he estimated the fire was about four feet by four feet, and it was quickly extinguished by the Secaucus fire department. But many residents said they could hear fire engines Thursday night after the big show.

Fire Chief Schoendorf said he thinks the dampness and greenness of the swampy Meadowlands prevented the fire from getting any bigger. But:

"Had it been any drier, it could have become a big fire," he said.

Related: July 4 Fireworks Mistaken For Gunshots, Chaos Erupts In PA City