A discarded cigarette was apparently the cause of the fire that destroyed four vehicles in Lakewood, the Prosecutor’s office told TLS.

At approximately 3:42 am, Ptl. Vega of Lakewood Police Department and Lakewood Fire Department responded to multiple vehicles on fire at the Northern Resource Center, 220 4th Street in the township of Lakewood. The vehicles were located behind the building in the rear of the property.

The fire was extinguished and the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office was requested and responded to the scene. Fire Marshal Michael Marks responded to the scene. FM Marks stated that two of the vehicles belong to Meals on Wheels, one belonged to Gelbstein’s Bakery and one belonged to aprivate owner.

At this time the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit were requested and responded.

“The subsequent investigation found that the privately-owned vehicle was occupied by a female who had been smoking in the vehicle, placed the cigarette in the ash tray and fell asleep,” OCPO Spokesman Al Della Fave told TLS. “She awoke to find smoke and a small fire in the area of the ash tray in the vehicle. She attempted to put the fire out but was unable to. At this time she notified Lakewood Police Department.”

A scene examination was conducted and the fire originated within the passenger compartment of the vehicle and more specifically towards the front of the passenger compartment and in the area of an ash tray.

“The cause of the fire is accidental and improperly discarded smoking material could not be eliminated,” Della Fave said.