Fire On Middletown Youth Football Field Being Eyed As Suspicious

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown Police and the town's fire inspector are investigating Friday night's fire on the River Plaza Chargers football field as possibly suspicious and deliberately set, said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry on Monday.

The River Plaza-Lincroft Chargers are the local Pop Warner youth football team, for Middletown children ages 7-14 to play football and cheer. They practice on a football field behind the Shadow Lake complex. At 9:49 p.m. this past Friday, multiple Middletown residents called 911 to report that the announcer booth on the field was fully engulfed in fire.

"Prior to the fire, there were no electric utilities going to the announcer booth, as it was not in use," said Mayor Perry. "So given the fact that there was no electric going to the building, there is an immediate thought that arson is a possibility."

Perry said Middletown Police and fire "are looking into a couple different tips they've received." He declined to say any more.

"The fire is currently under investigation as it is suspicious in nature," said Middletown Deputy Police Chief Paul Bailey. He cautioned that does not necessarily mean arson.

There was no Chargers season in the past year due to the pandemic.

The announcer booth was totally destroyed by flames.

"We're a non-profit organization that's been around for 60 years and we're going to have to replace the booth," said Sean Clark, one of the commissioners of the league. "We don't have fire insurance, as we didn't expect to have a fire. We are working with the town to see whatever help they can give us."

"We and the kids are excited to play again this season," he added.

Initial Patch report: 2 Fires Broke Out In Middletown This Weekend

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