Fire at Toms River Natural Gas Facility Led to Parkway Exit Closure

A fire at the NJ Natural Gas facility located at 322 West Water Street in the Downtown section of Toms River led to the closure of Garden State Parkway exit 82 and several local streets Sunday morning.

Toms River police and firefighters responded to the 8:45 a.m. call and discovered flames rising from several pipes on the premises, police spokesman Ralph Stocco said.

While the fire company worked to extinguish the blaze New Jersey State Police officers assisted Toms River police with closing the Garden State Parkway exit 82, Water Street and Highland Parkway, which includes the access road to the bus terminal, Stocco said. 

Traffic was affected for approximately 90 minutes until the scene was cleared.

There was no immediate word on how the fire started.