Forest Fire Closes GSP

A forest fire burned out of control near a state park Sunday, engulfing a house in flames, threatening 100 others, and shutting down a 20-mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway.

The fire had spread through more than 500 acres near Double Trouble State Park by late afternoon, said Horace Somes, division fire warden for the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

Somes said the main threat by early evening was that the flames were burning toward nearby Beachwood. Berkeley Township Police had already evacuated their town's Pinewald section.

Firefighters' efforts were hindered by 30 mph wind gusts and drought conditions. They initially tried to contain the flames but eventually had to fall back, Somes said.

"May was an average rainfall month, but on top of that we had 12 months of dryness," he said. "We have a fire on our hands we can't fight with normal attack."

Authorities were preparing for an extended operation, calling in firefighters from surrounding counties.

State police said the parkway was closed along the east side of the park, and several local roads also were shut down.

About 60 state firefighters and 100 volunteers battled the blaze, using at least three helicopters. Two helicopters dropped water on the flames, while a third was used for observation.

Authorities did not know what caused the fire.

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Author: 6 ABC-AP