Crime & Safety

Two Fire-Damaged Belmar Homes Had Same Owners

Sozek brothers also owned home that burned to the ground on Easter

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and Monmouth County Fire Marshall are investigating a suspicious fire that took place in Belmar early Tuesday morning.

The fire reportedly began around 5 a.m. in the back cottage at 105 1/2 14th Avenue.

There were no casualties, though one firefighter suffered an ankle injury while battling the blaze.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The fire was contained entirely to the rear house and much of the structure remains intact. Water could be heard running from a broken or disconnected pipe at the scene. The house was sparsely furnished and an orange extension cord could be seen running from the front house into the burned structure. Knocks at the doors of 105 and 107 14th Ave. were not answered, though a lamp could be seen turned on in the front window of 107.

According to property tax records, the home is owned by Kezos LLC, a development company owned by brothers Gregory and Kevin Sozek.

Find out what's happening in Manasquan-Belmarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Sozeks also own the home at 111 16th Avenue, which burned to the ground in an last month.

In 2008, Kevin Sozek was the subject of an investigative reporting piece by ABC-7 in New York.

The "7 on Your Side" segment detailed issues between Sovek and a tenant. The tenant, who rented a seasonal home from Sozek, alleged that he had failed to get the home inspected and left her out thousands of dollars. Sozek had also apparently served five days in Monmouth County Jail for renting a home without having it inspected.

Gregory Sozek was interviewed for the segment.

The 16th Avenue property had been set for a foreclosure sale by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at the time of the fire. Records indicate that no such proceedings had been taken on the 14th Avenue property.

Christopher Gramiccioni, First Assistant Prosecutor from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, confirmed Tuesday morning that the fire is being investigated as suspicious, but no determination has been made yet.

Both the homes at 105 and 107 14th Ave. are seasonal housing and both are listed for sale.

A fire also broke out in Belmar early in the morning on Monday, May 9 at an under construction home on 6th Avenue. Property tax records show no connection between the 6th Avenue property and the Sozek brothers.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.