Shore town experiences 2 suspicious beach fires this week

     A gazebo burns on a Seaside Park beach early Tuesday. (Photo: Dominick Solazzo)

    A gazebo burns on a Seaside Park beach early Tuesday. (Photo: Dominick Solazzo)

    Investigations continue in an Ocean County town after authorities say two fires were set intentionally on the beach.

    The first fire destroyed a borough-owned gazebo on Seaside Park’s 2nd Avenue shortly after 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. The 10-by-10 foot wooden structure is one of six from which ice cream is sold to beachgoers.

    An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit led to a request for Ocean County Fire Marshal John Pasola and his accelerant detection K-9, Sam, to respond.

    According to the prosecutor’s office, Sam sniffed the area and gave a positive indication of ignitable liquids.

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    Then on Wednesday evening, a police officer discovered a garbage can ablaze on the 11th Avenue beach. Another officer extinguished the fire.

    County investigators responded and while authorities say the cause is undetermined, the fire remains suspicious because of the gazebo blaze.

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