By Paul Goldfinger, Editor at Blogfinger.net
It has been nearly a month since the March 3 fire, but the Coaster woke up on March 23 and published a front page story wondering if the Ocean Grove fires in recent years might represent a “pattern” due to a “serial arsonist at work.” Their article is just a repeat of the speculation that was reported in the days after the Warrington fire. (You can search Blogfinger regarding the March 3 fire by using our search box at the top right corner of the blog.)
The lead Coaster headline asks “Ocean Groves Fires: Coincidence or Not?” The Coaster interviewed an OG realtor who said that the fires were “very suspicious and need to be investigated.” No kidding!
As expected, the investigation results for the March 3 fire are not yet being released, although, so far, apparently there is no evidence to suggest foul play. Typically, the authorities never make public announcements about their fire investigations.
Over 90 people were displaced from their homes, and some of them are busy hiring lawyers to look into the matter. One of the victims told us that he sustained serious lung damage during the event and he is relentlessly investigating the situation himself, including pursuing research about the owner of the Warrington whom he holds responsible for leaving such a vulnerable building to deteriorate while exposing the neighborhood to fire risk.
A few years ago, the owner of the Warrington made offers to buy the properties of 3 of the homes that were destroyed in the fire (25 Seaview, 27 Seaview, and 29 Seaview.) Getting access to one of those lots would solve his “land-locked” problem in terms of getting permission to build. But each of those owners refused.
The Warrington owner had previously received permission to remodel the old Warrington Hotel, but after the fire, since the situation was now changed to build a new hotel on an empty lot, he was denied the building permits which he was seeking soon after the deluge.
As part of the Coaster piece, the President of the OGHOA, Barbara Burns, was interviewed. She said, “No one knows if this is a conspiracy or a coincidence.” It seems that she has been able to narrow down the possibilities to two.
“Burns also added that she does not believe Ocean Grove residents are overly concerned about fire.” Really?
She concluded with “I don’t think they worry on a day-to-day basis, but after a fire, certainly people think about it more. But I don’t think they feel unsafe living here.”
But would Ms. Burns feel that way if she had lived in the vicinity of the Warrington? Those people had been chronically concerned on a day to day basis, especially since their fears were ignored by the Neptunites at the Mother Ship. We know because BF interviewed one of those close neighbors in October, 2016*.
The same was true for that other fire risk beauty–the Park View Inn that stood rotting for years as the neighbors looked on with trepidation.
Here is a quote from that October, 2016 Blogfinger piece——link below* “He says that his neighbor, whose home borders the path that runs from Lake to Seaview, adjacent to the Warrington, has been “living in hell” due to the garbage, the crime, the safety and health risks, strange people peeking in his windows, the physical degradation of the Warrington, the congestion and other concerns.”
October 2016 Warrington post in Blogfinger *
And here is a comment from Simon, one of the victims, who often complained on Blogfinger about his safety concerns at the Warrington:
Simon: “Now that WE lost our homes with all our personal items we had from many years, how do we get that back?
The Warrington…. my neighbor and I called Neptune concerned on the happenings, on what was taking place there, with less then little results. Sawbucks was called on what they were doing back there: 2 days a week hammering with no new lumber; also with no visible results.
“Now that we all are looking for places to live, it’s a little too late for responses. All the neighbors’ insurance companies are investigating the fire that started at the Warrington. I hope they have to pay back all the homes they burned down. Pay back from the insurance companies—- but it will never make the HURT go away.
“Also 4 animals had to pay the price and lost their lives. I wish someone could tell me what was it all for—was it for greed? People could have also died as a result. Thank God for that. My prays go out to all the other victims. I am rebuilding ASAP.”
And here is a recent communication from a nearby neighbor addressed to a fire victim: “The Warrington housed the disabled, mentally ill, and drug addicts. Drug trafficking was seen by the neighbors; afraid to say anything due to fear of retaliation. The State of NJ shut down the building—- never to open as a boarding house.
This was all told to the Neptune Zoning board meetings when the Warrington owners were filing for permission to build the HIGH CLASS HOTEL.. Past behavior predicts future behavior, so I gave a copy to the Board. No one listened. I went to every meeting. “
The investigation is led by the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. We are told that the State Fire Marshal’s arson office has dropped out of the investigation. We know nothing about the Federal ATF review.
We will continue to watch for new information about that horrible March 3 fire. If you hear anything new, please email us at Blgfinger@verizon.net
NINO ROTA: “The Halls of Fear” from The Godfather.
Suffer Surfer:
I agree, the Township is at fault in these fires, the buildings should never had become this bad in the first place.
The township should be taking these people to court monthly if need be, inflict penalties for allowing them to get that far run down in the first place.
But I think they don’t care, they will just let the neglect slowly destroy the buildings, endanger neighbors, and eventually get more taxes!
Kate, Mark, and others:
My intention was to mock the idea of “conspiracy” that Barbara Burns expounded.
My point, which I have made before, is
THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED!
We had the unoccupied Manchester Inn, 25 Ocean Pathway, burn down in March, 2010 – taking out also 6 homes on Ocean Pathway and Bath Avenue.
Then, we had 27 Surf Avenue, a large unoccupied building supposedly being renovated, burn down March, 2011 – taking out 8 other homes on Surf Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. Then, we had the 50 Main Ave fire in February, 2015.
And now the Warrington March 3 fire.
Unoccupied derelict buildings whether “under renovation” or not should be secured: tightly locked up and/or fenced in when workers are not present. The gas and electric should be turned off at the street to prevent any legitimate accident. Neptune police should patrol these sites (eg surprise visits at 2 am) to see if any squatters are present. Heavy fines should be levied for violations.
This crap has gone on for too long! That is why I attacked the Neptune Township Committee and OGHOA for lethargy.
I do not live in the HOT corner of OG (note 3 of 4 fires in the small NE corner of our town). One can be glad that the nearby Whitfield was properly demolished or this too might have “accidentally” burned down.
Editor’s note: I think you all will profit from reading the saga of the Sampler Inn which we will post shortly.
Suffering Surfer, a conspiracy can only fall under an Islamic terrorist situation? That statement is so ridiculous and has absolutely nothing to do with what anyone has discussed regarding the fires in town. My Family lost their home and their animal in the fire. If you can’t show any respect or compassion, then you shouldn’t make these offensive comments and it certainly should not be posted on this blog, a blog that is trying to find answers and shows concern for our town and it’s residents, while others show no care – making rude and extreme comments.
Suffering Surfer, are you not using your name for commentary because you are the Warrington Owner trying to deflect the blame. Perhaps you are just uncompassionate and callous, while having no care about others losing their home, because you are sitting comfortably in your own unharmed home. Your comment was very rude to those who lost their homes.
SIMON .. We paid the price: 97 people and myself. If there is any humanity left in this town for all of us trying to find a roof over our heads,I would be shocked.The Warrington DID IT ALL and it could have been prevented if someone listened. Monitoring what had been going on over there—- this all could have been prevented.
Sorry if I keep going on with this but, justice has to be served somehow. We lost everything and for what? I wish I could feel good again.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Conspiracy?
Islamist State terrorists wanting to destroy a “Methodist” town?
Owners of Warrington, 27 Surf, Manchester using same arsonist?
The only conspiracy I see is that of the OGHOA and Neptune Township Committee: a conspiracy of INACTION, not insuring that derelict hotels (empty or under renovation) are secure and patrolled.
Barbara Burns, HOA president said, in the Coaster, that there might be a “conspiracy” to explain the series of fires.
Since she brought up this “C” word, perhaps she, a lawyer, would explain the details of what she means by using that word. As a lawyer she must have something specific in mind.
Some do profit from these fires; the township, in higher taxes from the ‘Victorian’ McMansions or condos that take their place.
Could this be the reason the township doesn’t seem to care if abandoned firetraps exist?
On March 23, the OGHOA had a meeting that featured fire officials discussing fire safety. The Coaster report by Bonnie Graham was very detailed. It seems that despite all the talk about fires, no one dared to offer suggestions as to the cause of this terrible conflagration. Yet that is exactly what is on the mind of Ocean Grovers when the subject comes up.
There was one awkward and bizarre moment recorded at the end of the meeting by Ms.Graham: “A resident asked if the Warrington Hotel was abandoned at the time of the fire.The answer was, ‘No, it was under renovation.” Rizzo said that this building had been on the Derelict Buildings list at one time.”
And nobody challenged this strange exchange in response to a serious question regarding the cause of the fire. This fire safety symposium failed to address the key issue. What a joke these HOA meetings are!
Kate
It’s sad that we have to worry that fires in OG might be intentionally set, but many residents think that way. Yet the paid professional fire inspectors here have always found the fires to be not suspicious, even with all of the facts given.
Are these local inspectors competent? Is there a money trail to explain why these fires are so similar? Are some people in town benefitting financially from such fires? Is this about real estate investing? If these fires are not accidental, and if people make money from these tragedies, then the problem will continue.
So now we fear for our own home’s future and we might worry that a neighborhood property near our home might tempt an arsonist.
I do fear my neighbors’ intentions as my life can become a disaster if someone chooses to benefit from having an “accidental” fire.
It really upsets me that the HOA attorney speaking to the Coaster has shared an opinion of how she assumes all Ocean Grove residents feel. How could one person assume what an entire town feels. She’s generalizing without a basis for her conclusions. She has painted a fake picture of how our town’s residents feel to the newspaper.
I moved to OG a few years ago and I am more in love with it today than when I first visited the town. Never did I think I would ever move from this magical place, but I now have the thoughts that my future residency could change – due to these continual “accidental” fires.