24-04-2025
NJ residents returning home as wildfire rages on
OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. (PIX11) — The Jones Road Wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey, forced thousands to evacuate Tuesday night, many of whom returned home Wednesday.
'We left late last night,' said Charlene Sherriff of Forked River. 'The traffic was ridiculous. By the time we finally got to our hotel, it was midnight.'
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Sherriff returned home Wednesday to no power and spent the afternoon in search of ice to save whatever food she has left.
Nikki Esposito was working at Tractor Supply in Waretown when the store was forced to close down early. She drove home on Route 9, right as portions of the highway were being shut down.
'It was the most terrifying thing I've ever seen,' said Esposito. 'Just watching the wind bring the flames closer to the actual highway, it was pretty wild. It was insane. And you could actually feel it. Like, you could feel the heat on the car. It was that close.'
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James Herbst of Lacey Township said he watched as Liberty Door & Awning burned to the ground. He worked at the family-owned business for more than 20 years.
'The building just engulfed in five minutes,' said Herbst. 'It went to the right side of the building, to the roof, to all the material inside, to everything. And it came down quick.'
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