Brick Woman Charged As Fire Pit Blaze Causes $30K In Damages

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township woman has been charged with criminal mischief after a fire in a backyard fire pit spread and caused more than $30,000 in damage to neighboring properties, police said Wednesday.

Barbara Johnson, 56, was charged Monday with criminal mischief "for negligently causing damage to property by an uncontrolled fire," Sgt. Jim Kelly said.

A Dorothy Place resident reported a shed on fire at 12:45 p.m. Monday, and Capt. Steve Gerling and Patrolman Joseph McGrath arrived to find a shed behind a home on Mohawk Drive engulfed in flames, Kelly said.

Kelly said there was more than $30,000 worth of damage with at least five neighbors affected. Siding and roofs were damaged on houses, a shed was damaged when propane tanks exploded, and a hot tub, a gazebo, pool covers and a car were damaged because of proximity to the fires and flying embers, he said.

Firefighters from Breton Woods, Pioneer Hose and Laurelton Fire Companies responded, along with Brick Township EMS, and extinguished the fire, but not before it caused extensive damage to neighboring properties, Kelly said.

Brick Fire Bureau inspectors and Brick police detectives determined the fire started in a fire pit located in the backyard of the Mohawk Drive home, he said.

Johnson was found to have failed to properly cover and extinguish an open fire and was open burning within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material, he said.

She was arrested and was released with a summons, Kelly said.

All recreational fires must be in an approved, non-combustible device, at least 15 feet from any structures or combustible materials, and continually attended, the Brick Fire Safety Bureau said in a reminder to residents. There must also be a method for extinguishing the fire present.

People who use fire pits and fail to take the necessary precautions can be held criminally and or civilly liable for damages caused by a fire, officials said.

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