New Jersey Bowling Manager Charged After Rival Lanes Burn

The manager of a southern New Jersey bowling alley has been charged with arson following a fire that destroyed a popular rival establishment in business for decades.

The beloved Loyle Lanes bowling alley burned down last week after 50 years on the edge of Vineland, a city in a part of the state where towns are small, main streets are wide and agriculture has always been one of the main industries.

On Wednesday police announced charges against Steven Smink. He’s manager of Pike Lanes Family Fun Center, the only other bowling alley in Cumberland County. Police say he hired another man and a teen to set the fire, which melted bowling balls and pins.

A woman who answered the phone at his Philadelphia home said she knew nothing about it and hung up.