Investigation Continues into DPW Shed Fire

It has been almost six and a half months since a fire destroyed the Salt Storage Building on the grounds of the Howell Township Department of Public Works. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Howell Township Police Department are looking for information from the public to help solve the case.

According to a news release from the prosecutor's office, the fire was investigated by that office as well as the county fire marshal's office and the Howell Township Fire Bureau and the police department. That initial investigation of the two-year old building "revealed the cause of the fire to be incendiary in nature." In light of that finding, "the fire is being investigated as an act of arson."

The fire, which occurred at 12:31 a.m. Sept. 16, necessitated help from several local fire departments, including those from the Squankum, Farmingdale, Ramtown, Adelphia, Southard and Freewood Acres houses. The Howell Township and Farmingdale Emergency Medical Services units were also on hand as the blaze was put out. 

As a result of the fire several pieces of township-owned equipment were lost or damaged including a paving roller, snowplows, aluminum boats, salters and more. The release from the prosecutor's office estimates the value of all the items  damaged or destroyed to come in at close to $1 million. 

Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. is asking anyone with information about the fire to contact either Detective Michael Magliozzo from his office at 800-533-7443 or Detective Nancy Carroll of the Howell Township Police Department at 732-938-4575.