February 15, 2020

UPPER FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Shortly after 2 pm today what appeared to be a hawk or other raptor was caught up in electrical equipment for a solar farm near the Union Transportation Trail by the Route 524 entrance. The short circuit and resulting arc made a loud explosion sending sparks in to the tall dry grass below causing a brush fire. Power issues were reported in Upper Freehold Township and neighboring Robbinsville who also receives power from this area.

The Hope Fire Company of Allentown, the NJ Forrest Fire Service and NJ State Police responded to the scene. The brush fire in the grass below was approximately 20 x 75 feet in size and was extinguished quickly with Brush 82.

The fire company remained on scene for Jersey Central Power and Light to arrive to make repairs.