Dozens of firefighters are battling a historic wildfire that began in the forest near Airport Road in Lakewood at approximately 1:30 PM this afternoon.
The fire, aided by strong winds and dry weather, quickly engulfed several structures, with at least one being completely destroyed. The blaze then moved towards Route 70, threatening numerous businesses there, including the Lowe’s on Route 70 whose roof caught on fire.
State and local fire service authorities shut a handful of major roadways, including sections of the Garden State Parkway and Route 70, as fire crews fought against the blaze. Most of the roadways have since been reopened.
The Lakewood Blue Claws’ stadium parking lot is being used as a staging area for emergency vehicles, with about 30 vehicles, including numerous tankers, currently stationed there.
The fire is still out of control and continues to wreak havoc in the southern section of Lakewood, as well as parts of Brick, with dozens of businesses in its deadly path. At least 29 homes in Brick suffered damage from the flames, and three were reportedly made uninhabitable.
At least two firefighters have been injured. One suffered a medical emergency while on the scene of the blaze, and his condition is serious but doctors believe his prognosis is good. Another firefighter was injured in the line of duty; his condition is stable and his injuries non-life-threatening.
As of 9 PM, LPD Captain Steve Allaire said that a large portion of the fire has been brought under control.
Police Chief Greg Meyer told TLS that emergency personnel will be stationed at the Blue Claws stadium for the duration of the evening, as the fire continues smoldering and crews wet down affected areas throughout the night.
DEVELOPING.
BREAKING UPDATES & FOOTAGE ON STATUS -> bit.ly/2Z0LYBc
BREAKING UPDATES & FOOTAGE ON TLS TWITTER -> https://twitter.com/LakewoodScoop
BREAKING UPDATES & FOOTAGE ON TLS INSTAGRAM -> https://www.instagram.com/thelakewoodscoop/
LAKEWOOD WILDFIRE UPDATE: One of the buildings destroyed in the wildfire.
Police Chief Greg Meyer tells TLS over 150 acres burned. pic.twitter.com/iIkHfT0ZPT
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 15, 2021
LAKEWOOD WILDFIRE UPDATE: Dozens of fire trucks from around the County staging at the stadium. Fire only partially contained at this time. pic.twitter.com/3aJgUhZswT
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 15, 2021
BREAKING: Wildfire burning out of control for 6 hours now. pic.twitter.com/o5cK6fvUTT
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
***THE WILDFIRE IN LAKEWOOD***
BIG shoutout to all our team members working overtime to bring you the absolute best coverage of this historic fire. pic.twitter.com/Cz4KeikjQl
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: Flare-up in one section of the wildfire. pic.twitter.com/7tIAI21WqQ
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: The scene around the southern portion of Lakewood. pic.twitter.com/OZY3RNGS1j
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: Multiple arterial roads in the southern section of Lakewood shut. Avoid area completely as wildfire rages on. pic.twitter.com/hHOT7YiyhA
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: Another Lakewood business in the track of the wildfire. pic.twitter.com/LNS5zUc6GD
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: View from plane of the Lakewood wildfire.
“After filming it, I checked our location on Google maps and I'm 100% certain about it.” pic.twitter.com/a9W37quchh
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: Lakewood Police Chief Greg Meyer says firefighters will likely be battling this wildfire through the night.
“We are asking people not to joy ride around to see fire. People are blocking roads for emergency responders. Check the news for updates.” pic.twitter.com/rp1PpcQMGa
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: More from Route 70 view in Lakewood. pic.twitter.com/JQijj7j9Tk
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: View from Route 70 at the Lakewood Brick border. pic.twitter.com/pSPDBD0dTl
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: Aircraft dumping water near the Hilton. pic.twitter.com/5rekWpTMwO
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING: Wildfire continues to rage in Lakewood. pic.twitter.com/8wT8vwNfaw
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
#BREAKING: Update from Lakewood Fire Chief John Yahr. pic.twitter.com/ekDEPvB2Gv
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
Committeeman and Emergency Services Liaison Meir Lichtenstien gives update from the scene. @Reporter_15 pic.twitter.com/qQfHB1QYUK
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
#BREAKING: Lakewood Police Captain Steve Allaire gives update from the blaze. @Reporter_15 pic.twitter.com/u156nw6jqe
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
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BREAKING: Police shutting down larger areas of Route 70 at the Brick border. pic.twitter.com/1nxXevuo46
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
Lakewood Police Chief Greg Meyer tells TLS: “We are thankful for our volunteers and the fire department and all the out of town agencies assisting us.” pic.twitter.com/ImtKDit0o9
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
#BREAKING: Numerous tankers and aircrafts dumping water over Lakewood.
FULL COVERAGE-> https://t.co/YzfPBolPGS pic.twitter.com/rGfg4FLeMq
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
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BREAKING: Business-owners attempting to extinguish fires near their shops. pic.twitter.com/xDXFhgr2KN
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
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BREAKING: Tankers from around Ocean County pulling into Lakewood. pic.twitter.com/HOy8LPHaAT
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
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BREAKING: Smoke seen throughout Ocean County. pic.twitter.com/RZMxaF3P4c
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
BREAKING UPDATE: Fire has spread over major roadways in Lakewood. pic.twitter.com/nRw5Qr1wUl
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 14, 2021
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TLS, where is this? Why would you post that initially?
Where is this fire?
Scary because the first of Nisan is when Nadav and Avihu perished for taking an aish zarah. I’ve heard that tragedies can chv happen. Now there is this massive fire in Lakewood today on this date.
Is it the Nexus building?
Stay away from brick, target/costco area. Traffic is crazy. It took over an hour to get home instead of the usual 7 minutes.
Praying that everyone battling the fire stays safe..really really scary!
Stay away from route 70 from New Hampshire till chambers bridge
can u put on more videos not instagram
Attention all tenants Though i feel terrible for you and hope your ok If you do need new office space there’s a great guy that will do anything to get you the perfect space His name is Ezzy katz and can be reached at 732-556-8764
I got my office from him about a year ago and was so impressed with his service.
can u put in more videos not on instagram thank you
can you put more videos NOT on instagram
Can you put more videos on Instagram, I love Instagram. So awesome! Much better than YouTube and Twitter and Facebook.
ya but my filter doesnt let social media thanx
Not everyone has instagram.
Does anyone have the slightest idea of how many more developments could be squeezed in the newly cleared former forest forest?
Thank GOD that this has not cost a life. May everyone at the scene be safe and go home to their loved ones when this is over.
I thought all forests and trees were cut down for
developments
Can we get a clear list of which properties were damaged ? Also where and how this fire started?
Several days ago, TLS reported that a chopper was sent in to investigate a brush fire in Lakewood. Is that fire connected to this one?
A huge shout-out to our heroes, the firefighters, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us.
We have to think to ourselves, “What was the message Hashem was trying to send us with this massive fire?!”
It’s very possible that the message was to the Lakewood community and by extension, the municipality who have in effect put a moratorium on new developments. How often do those of us who where fortunate to buy a few years ago and are comfortably living in our homes think about the plight of young families looking to buy houses now?! How often do we think about that the only options of homes for these families over 2,000 sf are far out in Jackson or Toms River, and at this point already cost more than $500,000 (and that’s without a basement rental). There are thousands of families going crazy in their basement rentals because this town has gotten to stogy and can ch”v cannot allow “overdevelopment”. It affects these couples shalom bayis, stress levels, and overall quality of life. The traffic bothers you? So build more roads!! We were able to afford houses because at that point a new development was built every few years to accommodate the growth. It could be the message is, if we don’t want to use all those hundreds of acres for something constructive, Hashem will use it for massive destruction.
“The only option for these families are far out in Jackson or Toms River”.
Oy vey!
There are more families living in those towns today than were living in Lakewood 40 years ago.
Lakewood then was more “far out” from Brooklyn than Jackson and Toms River are from Lakewood today.
They survived. Could you believe it?
Why should the current residents of Lakewood, who already live here, live uncomfortably because you can’t think of moving “far out” to nice communities that are a ten-minute drive from all amenities you need?
Thank you firefighters!
To comment number 21. If the price of a home is supposed to cost $500,000.00 than that’s the price. After all, what should a developer do, give it away? Developers are entitled to earn a living too. What would be so terrible about residing in Jackson township or Toms River? If young couples can’t manage living in a cramped basement rental & can’t afford to purchase a home, who’s problem is that? Is this the developer’s problem? It shouldn’t be. Either the young couples need to improve their income & save their money for a down pmt. towards a house or rent better living quarters. Klal Yisrael should have a meaningful and zeesun Pesah. Bore’ Olam should protect us all.
I think you missed his point. He seems to be saying that if there is enough development then the laws of supply and demand will dictate a normal price. Even if a developer wants to sell units for over $700k, it is affordable when you factor in basement income. The problem starts when there is NO new houses, and people have to pay $500k for houses far out with no basement income that just 2 few years ago were selling for $350k. No matter how you look at it, something is wrong with that equation.