Pre Arrival Car Fire Rapidly Extends – Ocean Township NJ 3/25/26

At approximately 4:15 this afternoon, units were dispatched by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Dispatch Center to 1402 Rustic Drive, Building 66 in Ocean Township, Monmouth County, for a reported car fire in a parking lot. First arriving fire marshals from the township reported a working car fire with heavy involvement in the engine compartment, noting the fire was rapidly intensifying. With no engines signed on at the time, command requested the assignment be stepped up immediately as conditions continued to deteriorate. Vehicle fires can grow aggressively, with fire doubling in size approximately every 30–60 seconds, especially when fueled by plastics, rubber, and modern synthetic materials under the hood. Mutual aid was requested from 37-1 Oakhurst Fire Department, also within Ocean Township. Moments later, units from the 37-2 Wannamassa section signed on and arrived on scene alongside mutual aid companies. Crews stretched a front bumper line and initiated an aggressive attack, quickly knocking down the bulk of the fire. The fire was contained to the vehicle with no extension to the nearby building. The incident was brought under control shortly after arrival. The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.