The forest fire burned 167 acres in two neighborhoods earlier this week.
A forest fire in New Jersey, which damaged dozens of structures earlier this week and severely injured a fireman, was made intentionally, officials said.
The forest fire started Sunday afternoon in Lakewood. It was 100% contained about 24 hours later, after burning 167 acres, said the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
At least 29 houses and buildings were damaged, reported ABC Philadelphia WPVI station. Several outbuildings, fences, boats and a car were also destroyed, the fire service said.
A fireman suffered cardiac arrest while responding to the fire and remains hospitalized in stable condition, Ocean County prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said on Friday afternoon.
The fire also temporarily closed parts of the Garden State Parkway and forced more than 100 people to evacuate.
“The importance of this forest fire cannot be overstated,” said Billhimer in a statement. “We have a fireman who suffered cardiac arrest while fighting this fire. Three homeless people who lived in the forest were saved from the oncoming fire. Numerous homes and commercial properties were damaged and hundreds of people were evacuated.”
“It is only by the grace of God that no one was killed,” he added.
The fire was first reported in the Cedarbridge Avenue and Airport Road area of Lakewood, before moving on to neighboring Brick, where residents were evacuated on Sunday night.
The “devastating” fire was driven by 64 km / h winds, Greg McLaughlin, head of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, said in a video released on Tuesday. Eighty-five firefighters and several aircraft responded and battled the flames during the night, he said.
Authorities have not identified the cause of the fire.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the sergeant. Thomas Haskell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3953.