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VINELAND - Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a pep-rally bonfire to explode near Vineland High School Wednesday night.

One person, firefighter Jeff Kraus, was injured but not seriously, Vineland Fire Department Lt. Paul Lovecchio said Thursday. Kraus was treated at the scene for an abrasion, Lovecchio said.

The bonfire exploded around 6 p.m., moments after firefighters ignited the pile of wood pallets.

The fiery explosion rattled the city and prompted the school district to move the rally, an annual pre-Thanksgiving tradition. Firefighters immediately doused the pallets and the remains of the bonfire.

Fire Capt. Robert Scarpa said the Fire Department followed procedures that had been used safely for decades in setting up the community event. The state Forest Fire Service issued an open-burning permit for the bonfire and was on the scene, Scarpa said.

The explosion could be heard all around Vineland, he said. The Fire Department received calls from startled neighbors as far as 7 miles from the bonfire.

According to published reports, the New Jersey State Police arson unit is helping with the investigation. Police spokesman Trooper Brian Polite said he had no update on the investigation Thursday.

Once the investigation is completed, the Fire Department will take any corrective measures, if necessary, to prevent a similar near-disaster, Scarpa said.

Vineland police, the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office and the Fire Department's arson unit are also investigating.

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