Four trees mark the spot where the Manchester stood. Houses on either side perished. Photos by Mary Walton
MASSIVE FIRE DESTROYS MANCHESTER INN
By Charles Layton and Mary Walton
SATURDAY, March 13 — The Manchester Inn, one of Ocean Grove’s most beloved old hotels, burned to the ground early this morning, taking perhaps a half dozen nearby buildings with it.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Neighbors were awakened shortly before 5 a.m. by police sirens. From their bedroom windows, through a drizzling pre-dawn rain, they saw smoke pouring from the Manchester. The block was evacuated at approximately 5 a.m. Orange flames could soon be seen licking from roofs of buildings, and the gray smoke grew so thick that almost nothing was visible along much of Ocean Pathway.
Dozens of fire and emergency units responded — from Asbury Park, Allenhurst, Avon, Shark River Hills, Wanamassa, Spring Lake, Bradley Beach and elsewhere. Their hoses were coiled and strung everywhere, like big gray boa constrictors, and lights from emergency vehicles flashed an eerie red in the gloom of the early morning mist and smoke.
Charles Baker, a veteran of the Bradley Beach Fire Department, who grew up in Ocean Grove, said today’s fire reminded him of the storied 1976 fire that destroyed several large hotels on Ocean Pathway. He said the conditions were similar — a cold winter day with powerful winds that caused the fire to spread.
Connie Ogden, who observed the fire from Ocean Pathway, said: “The Manchester is basically gone. The house next to it, to the east on Ocean Pathway, is gone. There was a lot of debris and cinders and wood being blown all the way to Central Avenue.” She said it appeared that the Sandpiper Guest House, at 19 Ocean Pathway, was damaged. Houses on either side of the Manchester were entirely destroyed.
On Bath Avenue, the street running parallel to Ocean Pathway to the north, several homes were either destroyed or badly damaged. The home of Camp Meeting Association president Scott Rasmussen, at 28 Bath, was completely gutted. The home at 30 Bath also caught fire.
Stoll August, who lives across the street on Bath, said: “At 4:45 we heard the police up and down the street. We saw the glow on the other side.”
Baker, the veteran fire fighter, said he thought it was lucky the fire did not spread farther than it did, considering that the wind was so high, gusting to nearly 40 miles per hour at times. “It was a pretty good stop,” he said of the fire departments’ work. Firemen were pouring water on buildings as far away as the Youth Temple, because of the flying cinders all along Ocean Pathway.
Baker said the fire’s cause would not be known until the fire marshall can investigate.
The Manchester Inn was built in the 1870s and had 35 uniquely decorated rooms. It occupied a central place in Ocean Grove’s history and culture. Located one block from the boardwalk and half a block from the Great Auditorium, it was known for its Victorian charm and as a favored location for dinners, wedding receptions and other social functions. As recently as this past Thursday night, the Manchester had hosted the Ocean Grove Beautification Project’s annual dinner. That was the last of many good times that have been enjoyed in this beloved old inn.
The owners, Clark and Margaret Cate, had made arrangements last year to sell the property, but that deal fell through. More recently, they had applied to the township for permission to convert it to condominiums. They said the Manchester was no longer economically viable as an inn and that it needed extensive renovations.
As dawn broke, firemen worked to save houses on Bath Avenue
Bath Avenue house owned by Camp Meeting president Scott Rasmussen is now a shell
Ocean Grove's Eagle crew trains hoses on Sandpiper Guest House (19 Bath Avenue)
Tiny flames lick at the remains of the house east of the Manchester
As a long time visitor to Ocean Grove, and in particular the Manchester Inn, I was devestated to drive down Ocean Pathway tonite, intending to visit and share it with a friend with me for Easter. Instead of a joyous childlike reunion with my many fond memories -over 20+ years- and interesting conversations with the always kind Clark and Margaret Cate and kids, I discovered with acute pain and disbelief, nothing but the silent rude dark ruins from the out of control March 13th fire. The eerie foggy darkness had caught my attention from the Pavillion, from which I could not see their customary four tree white light display…soon I learned why.
I cried from the bottom of my heart because this town and this lovely unique historical building in particular, has meant so much to me over the years…Thank You, Clark and Margaret for making it so welcoming, even when I was only passing though…
I have eaten, read, played guitar, sang, exchanged gifts on that porch; I have played the piano here for years; I have given friends tours through all the intricately creatively executed original murals in many rooms and throughout the three storied hallways. And I always imagined being married here one day…
My musical career began here, in 1988, when I attended my first Arts Anonymous Convention…a group designed to support and encourage budding or stuck artists of all kinds to discover, develop, market and share their unique creative gifts. Untold hundreds of lives have been changed by the multiyear cooperation between Arts and the Manchester, and I will always be grateful for my introduction to both. I am sure many other talented lives will feel the same. This year’s convention is bound to have some sad moments.
I would love to hear more about other people’s memories made at the Manchester, as I am working on writing memoirs and think this would be at once historic, interesting and healing for all. Anonimity guaranteed if you wish it. Please reply/post here and or write me at fiddlelin@yahoo.com.
I am hopeful that none were hurt and that lives will begin to normalize soon. With God’s Love and Grace…
To anonymous – maybe you would consider burning down your own property, that of your neighbors, and putting an entire town in jeopardy. That’s not how we do things in the Grove.
“Corrupt folks think and do that sort of things these days,” and cowards say hurtful and mean things and hide behind the anonymity of the internet.
We used to live on Abbott and are now in Bradenton FL. The close proximity of basically wood homes in OG has always been a matter of concern. Our thanks to God for sparing all the people who potentially might have been hurt and we are especially mindful of those of you who lost irreplaceable possessions. But keep your mind on Jesus, the “author and finisher” of our salvation. As a sidenote, I think anonymous (March 14) is misguided in thinking God will rain down judgment on all of OG if this fire was indeed arson, but I suspect you all know that already.
This fire is very upsetting to OG residents, visitors, and everyone who has ever contemplated visiting. However, although I never would presume to speak for the Lord — the Lord never cringes.
Re Anonymous: What an uncharitable, un-Christian, unkind thing to say, based on zero evidence — and from a person too cowardly to give a name. We in Ocean Grove can live without that person’s respect. One imagines that the Lord would cringe when people like that presume to speak in his name.
We lived directly next door to the Inn and woke up by God’s Grace at 5:00. We called 911 and managed to evacuate 6 children (our 3 plus 3 sleeping over) two adults and a dog in 5 minutes, were in our car at 5:10 and drove to the end of the block and saw our house in flames. Thank you God we are all ok. OUr home was on the Holiday Home Tour this past year so we were able to share it with many. Thanks for your support– we love you all’. The Marini Family
BLOGFINGER: I’m not sure about the sincerity of this comment, but we try to post all opinions on Blogfinger. You can judge for yourselves. Paul @Blogfinger
I can’t imagine an unchristian mind set in such a place as Ocean Grove, but maybe somone deliberatley burned it down to collect the Insurance.
If the Manchester Inn was in such financial straits, corrupt folks think and do that sort of thing these days.
If thats what really took place here, I would lose all my respect for Ocean Grove and its Residents.
The LORD will hold you personally accountable for your evil deeds.
Not pointing fingers: “They said the Manchester was no longer economically viable as an inn”
But something other then smoke from burning buildings stinks in Ocean Grove: Just a thought.
BLOGFINGER; Way to keep the people of OG informed- nice work
What heartbreaking news!
Thanks to Mary and Charles for keeping us faraway Ocean Grovers informed.
My love and sympathy to all my old neighbors.
Rhoda Newman
My heart goes out to all affected. Just last night, we saw Scott Rasmussen on the Stephen Colbert show, in his role as ace pollster. Now his home on Bath is gutted. The Manchester Inn was so lovely, with its four trees and wide porch. So many houses destroyed, it’s an overwhelming tragedy.
MY AUNT CONNIE CALLED US TO LET US KNOW THAT ALL OUR GRANDPAS POLICE UNIFORMS THAT WHERE ON DISPLAY IN THE MANCHESTER WHERE ALL BURNED UP VERY SAD DAY FOR OUR FAMILY.
MICHAEL ROME NY
We welcome comments from our readers. I am posting news from my vacation location in Florida, so if you have news, please send it.
You can click on “comments” at the end of any posting; or send us an email at pg1425@optonline.net thanks, Paul @Blogfinger
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE BECOME CITIZEN REPORTERS ON BLOGFINGER; HERE ARE SOME EMAILS WE RECEIVED THIS AM:
Victor A. Ocean Grove: Yes, I spoke to a neighbor (of the Manchester) who said the block was evacuated at 5am this morning. He said that the homes behind and beside are severely damaged or destroyed. This is a very day morning in Ocean Grove…
Lori Press. Ocean Grove: Regarding Manchester Inn burns down and takes several homes with it. This is a horrible fire.
Ross in Franklin Township: MANCHESTER HOTEL ABLAZE THIS MORNING. SOME OTHER HOMES DAMAGED.
ROSS
Grover: Paul — The Manchester Inn has burned to the ground! According to a neighbor on Ocean Pathway, the surrounding buildings (beside and behind) were also severely burned or destroyed. THis is a tragedy for Ocean Grove. Today we have lost more historic inns and homes. Please post about this!!
Joan N. Ocean Grove: FYI – I received a call from Connie that the Manchester Inn is on fire and is severely damaged. It is possible other buildings near it are in danger due to the high winds. Don’t have much more than that for now.
I am in north NJ. Joan