Investigators Still Probing Major New Jersey Fire

Investigators continue to seek the cause of a massive, wind-swept fire that destroyed four homes and a nearby historic inn in central New Jersey.

Three other homes were damaged in Saturday’s blaze in Ocean Grove, which burned for several hours and slightly injured two emergency responders.

Fire officials say it appears that the fire started in one of the homes and quickly spread, but the investigation was ongoing as of Sunday afternoon.

Several local fire departments fought the blaze, which was reported just before 5 a.m., but their efforts were hampered by strong winds and heavy rains spurred by a nor’easter that battered the region.

Some homes were vacant when the fire broke out, while residents in the other buildings were safely evacuated.