N.J. wildfire that burned near giant sculpture deemed suspicious, police say

Investigators believe a wildfire that firefighters fought to contain for about two days started under suspicious circumstances, according to authorities.
The fire in Hainesport in Burlington County burned near “Big Rusty,” a 20-foot-high sculpture made of recycled trash.
The fire began Monday and was deemed fully contained on Wednesday, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. It reached 40 acres.
New Jersey State Police on Thursday asked for the public’s assistance in its investigation into the fire. The agency did not say if the fire is being investigated as arson.
The artwork, which depicts a troll, was seated yards from where the fire burned but was not affected.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or the events prior to is asked to contact the State Police’s Troop “C” Bordentown Station’s Detective Bureau at 609-298-1171.
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Eric Conklin may be reached at [email protected].