Fire destroys court trailer in South Jersey

Fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a trailer used by Berlin Township for municipal court administration this morning.

Police Chief Michael Hayden said the fire was reported at 4:40 a.m and brought under control in about an hour. He said two fire companies from Berlin Borough and Berlin Township responded to the blaze.

"It doesn't appear suspicious," said Hayden. "The investigation is still ongoing."

He saidthe fire started in the southeast corner of a records room of the trailer located on the parking lot of the Berlin Township municipal complex next to the police station. Hayden said the trailer was a 12-foot by 60-foot structure similar to those used on construction sites.

According to the chief, the trailer had been used by the court administrators ever since the collapse of the ceiling of an upstairs court facility at the police station at 240 Pine St. on Nov. 7, 2006.

Hayden said the fire would not disrupt court proceedings since hearings have been held in a Lindenwold facility since the ceiling collapse. He added that anyone wishing to pay fines or bail can still do so at the police station between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The trailer was one of four used for township administration.