The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
photos courtesy of Fort Lee Fire Department
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Englewood Cliffs NJ, Firefighters worked tirelessly through the night to contain a series of brush fires along the Palisades in Englewood Cliffs. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that the largest fire, covering roughly 19 acres, was about 30% contained by morning. Fire engines, ground crews, and a helicopter capable of dropping 350 gallons of water are actively working to contain the blaze.
TRENTON – A mixed group of firefighters, labor leaders, local residents, architects and real estate developers descended on a state Senate community and urban affairs committee meeting in Trenton on Monday to debate an issue burning in their minds: should construction code regulations change statewide, especially in the aftermath of a Bergen County blaze earlier this year that torched an Edgewater apartment complex. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
Pressure builds for fresh look at N.J. building codes in wake of Edgewater fire
JANUARY 29, 2015, 5:39 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015, 8:31 PM
BY JEAN RIMBACH AND LINH TAT
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Pressure is mounting for a review of state building codes — and even a potential construction moratorium — in the aftermath of a fast-moving fire that destroyed more than half of an Edgewater apartment complex last week and left hundreds homeless.
Officials in Mercer County on Thursday called for an emergency review of state construction codes before a residential community planned by the same developer for Princeton gets evaluated by the state. And Assemblyman Scott Rumana, R-Wayne, said he is working on legislation that will put a moratorium of up to two years on the approval and construction of multi-family housing developments until the state’s building code is revised.
“The goal is not have any New Jersey residents’ lives at stake. But equally as important, it’s to not put our first responders into these buildings, which I would call fire traps,” said Rumana. “I have too much experience in seeing the failures of these types of facilities — if this fire happened seven or 10 hours later, who knows how many people could have died?”
A five-alarm blaze at the Avalon at Edgewater destroyed much of the 408-unit complex, shut schools and roadways, temporarily displaced nearby residents and brought to the surface long-standing issues in the firefighting community about lightweight wood construction — a cheaper, faster and legal style of building that is common in New Jersey and elsewhere.
Christie at Edgewater fire scene: “I’m here to make sure” displaced not forgotten
EDGEWATER – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, criticized in recent weeks for spending too much time traveling to set up a potential 2016 Republican presidential nomination bid, made sure that in the wake of Wednesday night’s devastating fire in Edgewater, he was front and center to offer the state’s help.
“At times like this, what people are most concerned about is being forgotten,” said Christie on Thursday as residents of the Edgewater apartment complex that was gutted by fire on Wednesday streamed into the borough’s community center seeking relief, some greeting the governor. “That’s why I’m here – to make sure that people know we will not forget. We will make sure that we do everything we can to try to assist them, and to have this transitional period be as short, safe and comfortable as it can be for themselves and their families, and then to move on from there.” (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
from former Freeholder John Mitchell
You can help the people and pets in Edgewater…
…Following the horrendous fire in Edgewater last night, donations of food and clothing were sent in immediately. The needs now are for pet supplies, health & beauty supplies and restaurant gift certificates.
Pet supplies, such as dog & cat food and kitty litter can be delivered to the Bergen County Protect & Rescue location at 302 2nd St (near Walker St) in Cliffside Park, NJ.
Health & beauty supplies can be delivered to the Edgewater Community Center at 1167 River Road, Edgewater, NJ.
Restaurant gift certificates (not necessarily upscale places; fast food places are fine) can also be delivered to the Edgewater Community Center or mailed to my fellow Rotarian, Brigitte Neumann at P.O. Box 215, Edgewater, NJ 07020.
Please help if you can.
Thank you!
