According to reports, nearly 30 homes and two commercial buildings were damaged by a New Jersey forest fire that ignited Sunday and quickly spread amid windy and dry conditions.
The fire started at about 1:00 p.m. in Lakewood and later moved to Brick, where 29 homes were damaged – three of them remained uninhabitable, the Asbury Park Press reported, citing Brick Mayor John Ducey.
The fire started relatively small, burning an area less than a quarter of a football field when it was first reported, NJ.com reported.
But by 6:30 p.m., the flames had spread to about 162 acres, officials told outlets.
The Garden State Parkway between exits 83 through 90 was temporarily shut down on Sunday due to the fire.
“We have two helicopters and a single-engine air tank that is working the fire,” Caryn Shinske, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, told the Asbury Park Press.
“The fire has traversed the Garden State Parkway and is threatening residential areas and shopping centers,” near Route 70, Shinske said.
At least one firefighter was injured fighting the blaze, according to reports.
Weather conditions in New Jersey are ripe for the spread of wildfires, with high winds and low humidity.