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Police Investigate Two Suspicious Fires in Whitesboro

Crime | Sun, 08/09/2009 - 11:46 am | Read 4068 | Commented 16 | Emailed 1
Tags: arson, car arson, structure fire, Suspicious fire, WHITESBORO

By Harry B. Scheeler Jr.

Video by Rick Racela

WHITESBORO— Multiple fire departments were dispatched to a structure fire here at 220 West Main Street across from the recreation center, on Friday, Aug 7, at 10:50 p.m.

The house was reported to be abandoned according to radio reports. Firefighters used chainsaws to clear away brush. A bulldozer was requested to the scene to clear access to the structure.

The fire engulfed the house as firefighters worked to contain the blaze the home started to collapse after about 30 minutes.

Later that night, at approximately 1:57AM, a second fire was reported involving a dump truck owned by F.W. Shawl and Sons Inc. construction located on Reading Avenue near West Main Street while fire and police units were still in the area of the first fire.

Members of the Cape May County Prosecutors and Fire Marshals offices and Sheriffs Dept. responded to assist with the investigation also. Fire departments from Rio Grande, Green Creek, and Cape May Court House had responded to extinguish the fires. Both Rio Grande and Court House rescue squads had responded to the fire scenes as well, though there were no injuries reported.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding these incidents can contact Detectives Clint Stocker or Robert Shepherd of the Middle Township Major Crimes Unit at 465-8700.

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Comments (16)

We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.

Fri, 08/14/2009 - 8:27am - Posted by: doobiebrother

stillsmokin, BURN BABY BURN

Thu, 08/13/2009 - 12:37pm - Posted by: middles.finest

ridiculous*

Thu, 08/13/2009 - 1:28am - Posted by: Mare

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE HAVE TO ATTACK A TOWN BECAUSE SOMETHING BAD HAS HAPPEN THERE. LOOK AROUND EVERY TOWN HAS BAD PEOPLE ANY MORE DRUGS ARE EVERY WHERE, BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE SAME FOR TOWNS BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN NICE TOWNS. WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE THERE ARE DRUG DEALERS THERE, THEY ARE EVERY WHERE. IT IS UP TO PEOPLE TO HELP DRIVE THEM OUT OF OUR NICE TOWNS. YOU WANT IT DONE HELP GET IT DONE THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY LAW INFORCEMENT PEOPLE THAT THE TOWNS CAN AFFORD. GO TO TOWN MEETINGS TALK TO LAW ENFORCEMENT TELL THEM WHAT YOU SEE AND YOU DON'T WANT IT IN OUR NICE TOWNS. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GIVE NAMES TELL THEM THINGS THAT ARE GOING DOWN AND HELP GET IT OUT. IT MAY TAKE THEM A LITTLE WHILE BUT WHEN THEY MAKE THERE BUST IT WILL STICK. BUT THEY HAVE TO MAKE A CASE AND MAKE SURE IT STICKS. TO ME ALL THE TOWNS IN CAPEMAY COUNTY ARE NICE IT IS UP TO US TO HELP KEEP IT THAT WAY.

Tue, 08/11/2009 - 10:07pm - Posted by: emkaydist

i know where the DEVILs live and it aint in WHITEsboro.

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 10:05pm - Posted by: tiredofthem

First off the incident that occured on pennsylvania ave involved subjects that did not reside in whitesboro, they met in the field regarding a dispute over a female. People like to say whitesboro is full of drug dealers and low lives and that is completely untrue, the majority of people that live in whitesboro are hard working upstanding families. I have lived in whitesboro for a very long time and there where only a few minor problems that occured while I'v lived there and they were nothing compaired to problems else where. If you don't have all the facts maybe you shouldn't make ignorent comments that make you look rediculous

Mon, 08/10/2009 - 12:29pm - Posted by: annon2166

Pixie1960 - youre rediculous. i used to go to middle and lived in green creek but i left because of how bad whiteboro is. it's full of thieves. and only "one minor criminal incident"???? are you nuts? i guess you forgot about the young man who was killed on pennsylvania ave. and 9 times outta 10, it was most likely someone from your own town who started the fire. so that shows how much they love your town as much as you do.

Sun, 08/09/2009 - 6:09pm - Posted by: cubby

there are some decent hard working families in Whitesboro. They are honest God fearing people. however, there are a whole lot of drug dealers,welfare queens and generations of that are on the government dole. The honest people of Whitesboro need to clean up their town, enough money has come from the rest of Middle, it is time for the honest people to step up, and rat out the criminals and those that leach off of society.

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 11:02am - Posted by: hardestworker1

The ignorance and racism displayed by the cowardly commenters regarding this situation is truly sad. However it is expected by people who have nothing better to do then sit at the computer. It is ridiculous to talk about Whitesboro as if crime doesnt happen in other parts of the county. Or if the rate of certain crimes is not higher in other areas of the county. Or as if drugs are only being sold by individuals from Whitesboro and not Cape May Court House and the Villas. What some of you idiots need to do is read the paper and do some research. Actually, check out the police blogs. Homeless? Welfare? I am neither homeless nor am I on welfare. There are many like me in this neighborhood. A dump? There are many successful programs and people that come out of this town. But I guess ignorance is blind. Maybe you should burn.

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 10:42am - Posted by: Pixie1960

"Sat, 08/08/2009 - 4:55am - Posted by: fredwagerWHAT A DUMP, WHY EVEN PUT OUT FIRES IN WHITESBORO."

Would you like to state what town your in? Probably not, your probably in a part of town that has more crime then ever seen in whitesboro, I've lived here over 20 years and have only had one minor criminal incident. I would rather live here then any other part of Middle Township!

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 10:01am - Posted by: River Rat

This was most likely an Obama supporters home. They should have let the whole town burn. That would have gotten rid of alot of drugs and drug dealers. Then the twp could build projects on that land and all of the homeless from that area could go on welfare and sell drugs like they do all over the rest of the county.

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 9:15am - Posted by: tiredofthem

Whitesboro is not as bad as people may think. Of course there are problem areas just like there are ever where else but that doesn't mean they shouldn't get the same services as everyone else. People should have all the facts before running their mouths.

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 8:59am - Posted by: albie27

He said quite clearly paid people that were tied up, in no way mentioning the volunteer firefighters. Reading comprehension=fail

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 7:46am - Posted by: Shortyforlife

So for those of you who got spitting off at the mouth that don't know the case...All the firefighters that where out there last night are volunteer. So how is that person from the house going to "pay" for them. The only people who would need to get paid are the fire investigators, and the police on scence and they are already getting paid.

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 3:55am - Posted by: fredwager

WHAT A DUMP, WHY EVEN PUT OUT FIRES IN WHITESBORO.

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 1:29am - Posted by: tuckahoekid

Lets not forget the water bill either!

Sat, 08/08/2009 - 12:12am - Posted by: 3percentlou

i'm smokin! unless the twp owns it the low life owner of record should be put in prison for not maintaining their filthy property and endangering all first responders needlessly.and charger for all the paid people that were tied up. gas for all the vehicles,ect.






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