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Archive for the ‘Ocean Grove fire February 2015’ Category

Water color of Ocean Grove coffee shop on Main Avenue (destroyed  in 2015 fire).
From a series OG picture card scenes by Grover artist Sue Anderson Gioulis.

JULIE ANDREWS:  From Camelot:   Are we feeling lusty yet?

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Rich Lepore stands in front of his Smuggler's Cove.That shop was destroyed in the Feb.9, 2015 fire. Paul Goldfinger photo ©

Rich Lepore stands in front of his Smuggler’s Cove. That shop was destroyed in the Feb.9, 2015 fire. Paul Goldfinger photo ©

 

The site at #50 Main Avenue remains a foundation in progress. Moe Demby photo 4/3/16. Blogfinger staff photo ©

The site at #50 Main Avenue remains a foundation in progress. Moe Demby photo 4/3/16. Blogfinger staff photo ©

Maybe they will finish this job before Santa Claus comes to town.  FRANK SINATRA AND CYNDI LAUPER

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February 5, 2015 fire on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, NJ destroys a building at #50 Main Ave. TV News Report

February 5, 2015 fire on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, NJ destroys a building at #50 Main Ave. CBS TV News Report

One year ago a rapidly progressive fire destroyed #50 Main Avenue and took with it some apartments and a few stores including Yvonne’s Restaurant, Smuggler’s Cove and Fusion. There was also some adjacent damage that ruined  the coffee shop, The Barbaric Bean.

The plan was to rebuild by next summer, but things have slowed considerably. The foundation seems to be close to completion, but a shadow has been cast over the plans due to a law suit which challenges the project on a number of grounds including illegal density, violations of  the State RSIS parking regulations, violations of the Federal Disability Act  (including not providing handicapped parking)  and a number of zoning complaints. With regard to the latter, if you look at the current foundation, it seems to extend beyond the legal setback, up to the sidewalk.

Another issue includes allegations that the lawyer for the Neptune Township Board of Adjustment illegally  stopped the  meeting in mid-stream for an intermission, allowing time for potential collusion.

The preliminary hearing will take place at Monmouth County Superior Court on February 24, 2016.  The defendant is Kurt Cavano, the property’s owner, together with the Neptune Township Board of Adjustment.  The plaintiff is Kevin Chambers of Ocean Grove, NJ.

If you want to attend you might have to call ahead to see if the hearing is open to the public.

Here is a link to the BF article from last October regarding this topic.   If you go to that link you will find some additional new comments.

http://blogfinger.net/2015/10/22/blogfinger-breaking-news-law-suit-filed-over-new-main-avenue-building/

LONDON THEATER ORCHESTRA AND SINGERS

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48 Main Avenue survived the fire with some damage.  Paul Goldfinger photo. ©  March 23, 2015.

48 Main Avenue survived the fire with some damage. Barbaric Bean to reopen this spring, perhaps in May.     Paul Goldfinger photo. © March 23, 2015.  Click to enlarge.

PATTY SMITH  and  FRIENDS:   “Something Old, Something New”

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Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, c. 2004.  Paul Goldfinger photo  ©

Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, c. 2004. Paul Goldfinger photo ©

We had received a report about the plans for rebuilding at the site of the fire.  A detailed presentation was made by the building’s owner, Kurt Cavano, at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Feb.24.  Since  the presentation was not said to be confidential, someone in the audience sent us a nice news report with the details which we posted this morning.

However, that citizen reporter received some heat about it and asked that we take it down.  Although it is not our policy to do so, we agreed to that request, even though all who were at the meeting have been free to share the information with anyone.

Up until the time we deleted the post, it had received over 1,300 hits, so it is “out there.”   In brief, a new building will replace the old.  It will be 3 stories tall and will be designed by an OG architect. The builder will be Jack Green Co.

If more details are made public, we will post them.  If someone else who was at the meeting, or if the owner wants to share the details, we will post it again.

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50 Main Avenue fire site.   Ocean Grove, NJ.  By Moe Demby, Blogfinger staff. ©

50 Main Avenue fire site. Ocean Grove, NJ. Feb. 25, 2015.  By Moe Demby, Blogfinger staff. ©

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Today, the Manchester was rocking with all the old Beatle's songs.  Musicians came from all over to jam. Pictured here are Dan Baker,John Cogelia, Craig Shore, Mike Meyers and Angelo Cogelia.  Photo by Jean Bredin, citizen photographer.  Feb 22, 2015.

Today, the Majestic was rocking with all the old Beatles’  songs.  Musicians came from all over to jam.
Here are Dan Baker, John Cogelia, Craig Shore, Mike Meyers and Angelo Cogelia.
Photo by Jean Bredin, citizen photographer. Feb 22, 2015.

Here is a real Beatles’ recording:

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NY Times. Feb 6, 2015

NY Times. Feb 6, 2015

On the day of the Main Avenue fire, an article about it appeared in the New York Times.  With that piece was a striking photograph which offered a credit that said, “News 12 New Jersey.”  Bob Bowné, contributing photographer at Blogfinger, saw the image and contacted us yesterday.

He said,  “The photo in the NYT from up across the street was spectacular…shot right at dusk with all the guys up in the buckets with the hoses….

“It had a beauty to it ..if that is allowed regarding a tragedy.  Great shot!”

Bob also said,   “I am totally amazed that the firemen saved that block.  Totally.  They did an amazing job….I am tuning out any “complainers”…They ran a hose all the way from Fletcher Lake and took care of business.  …..it could have been a LOT worse, all things considered.”

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Feb 6, 201. Main Avenue in Ocean Grove.  Taken early in the fire by FOM  (Friend of Moe) ©

Feb 6, 201. Main Avenue in Ocean Grove. Taken early in the fire by FOM (Friend of Moe) ©

 

(Ocean Grove, NJ.  Report sent by Neptune Twp PD. Lt. Michael McGhee. ) –The Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office (MCFM) determined that the late afternoon blaze which leveled 50 Main Ave. on Friday was not suspicious.

At this time the MCFM, Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Neptune Township Police have concluded their on-scene investigation and they have determined the fire initiated on the second floor of the three story structure.

However the cause is being officially  listed as “undetermined.” The investigation is continuing with interviews of residents and witnesses.

Anyone with information can contact MCPO Det. John Leibfried @ 1-800/533-7443 or NTPD Detective Sergeant Les Borges @ 732/988-8000 x413.

 

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Thea Bowers' photo from Heck Avenue taken after she called 911. It illustrates the fury of the inferno. Feb. 6, 2015.  Special to Blogfinger ©

Thea Bowers’ photo from Heck Avenue taken after she called 911 and before water pumping began.   It illustrates the fury and roaring speed  of the inferno. Feb. 6, 2015. Special to Blogfinger ©

 

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

Monday, Feb 9, 2015. Ocean Grove:   It was a 150 year old building with “balloon construction.”   It had no fire walls, fire stops or other structural features that would help inhibit fires. This method of building, used from the 19th century until 1940, provided “voids” where a fire would rise quickly in a vertical direction and also where horizontal spread is rapid as well. In such a structure, a fire doubles in size every 4 minutes, and Chief Ron Cole says that an Ocean Grove fire like this one could go from basement to roof in one minute.

When the 911 call came in, the fire was burgeoning so fast that people were walking by on Main Avenue clueless that a conflagration was in progress. A photograph by Theo Bowers (above) at 3:27 pm, from Heck Avenue showed that the blaze was advancing quickly. The dark smoke indicates that there was no water yet being pumped onto the fire, yet the flames were shooting out the top of the building on Main.

Bob Easton and his workers from Ocean Grove Hardware began pounding on doors along with firemen and police who arrived quickly. There was little time before the fire would become an inferno. Everyone who was home in that building got out.

Quick work to alert occupants reminds us of the story of the  Rasmussen family whose lives were saved by similar brave warnings provided by a Neptune Township policeman back in 2010  when a huge fire erupted on Ocean Pathway at the Manchester Inn

This dramatic photo of the Manchester Inn on March 13, 2010 shows how fast an OG fire can develop. 5homes were quickly destroyed and 2 others damaged.  Ed Wyzykowski photo, citizen photographer.  ©

This dramatic photo of the Manchester Inn blaze on March 13, 2010 shows how fast an OG fire can develop. 5 homes were quickly destroyed and 2 others damaged. Ed Wyzykowski photo, citizen photographer. ©

The roof and third floor quickly collapsed onto the second floor, and a flaming wall fell over onto the Barbaric Bean’s west side.

There was only one building that was destroyed thanks to the remarkable work of firemen. The OGFD was quickly reinforced by units from many local towns. Pumpers were set up on Heck Avenue to obtain water from Fletcher Lake. An estimated 10, 000 gallons per minute were pouring onto the intense heat and fiery hulk. Once the water pumping began, the smoke turned white.

Perhaps six hours went by before the fire was declared under control. Neighboring units were sent home by 11:00 pm, while the OGFD remained on duty there until Saturday. The Mazza company from Tinton Falls, , demolition experts, were quickly called because that weakened structure was so dangerous to people and nearby structures. They used heavy gear to reduce 50 Main Avenue to rubble. The building is owned by Kurt Cavano, and his family has the Fusion Jewelry store which was destroyed in the fire along with Smuggler’s Cove and Yvonne’s Café.

A metal fence went up quickly, and the insurance company will see to the removal of all debris. The investigation of the fire will, according to Chief Cole , produce a diagnosis of “indeterminate cause” because the collapse of the scene into a pile of rubble left no opportunity to find evidence. Monmouth County officials and Neptune PD detectives are evaluating the situation.

Regarding the Barbaric Bean, the Chief confirmed our observations that water damage was the main problem for them. As for the bent piece of steel shown in Ted Aanensen’s photo, it was not the result of melting temperatures. Instead, Mazza’s men, like iron age men of old, bent the piece to make a tool. No, not for hunting mastodons—-it was for dragging wreckage.

 

 

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Rear view of fire wreckage. By Prosper Bellizia, Blogfinger staff.

Rear view of fire wreckage. By Prosper Bellizia, Blogfinger staff.

Monday morning from Helen Slocum: St Paul’s UMC is taking money donations through their Angel Fund. Make check to St. Pauls UMC and put Angel Fund/fire on message line.

Monday morning Home Owners Association:

Friday’s fire destroyed the homes and businesses of friends and neighbors. Here’s how you can help:

Donate:

The Starving Artist is collecting cash donations. Arnold Texiera is working with the Ocean Grove Fire Department to coordinate collection and distribution.

Ocean Grove Trading Company is collecting donations of clothing for adults and children.

Show your appreciation for the Ocean Grove Fire Department by making a cash contribution to support its commitment to our community.

Donations to the American Red Cross help fund relief response to local emergencies.

Volunteer:

The Ocean Grove Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services welcome qualified volunteers.

Shop Local:

Show your support by shopping local merchants that are aiding the relief effort.

If You Know Someone Who Was Displaced by the Fire.

The Emporium will provide a winter coat, hat, hoodie, scarf and gloves to any victim of the fire.

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On March 12, 2011, 27 Surf Avenue was turned into an empty lot. Another home later was built there. Blogfinger photo by Ted Aanensen, Blogfinger staff. ©

On March 12, 2011, 27 Surf Avenue was turned into an empty lot. Another home later was built there. Photo by Ted Aanensen, Blogfinger staff. ©

By Paul Goldfinger, Editor  @Blogfinger

This is getting ridiculous. First we had the Manchester Inn conflagration on March 13, 2010 and then there was the destructive Surf Avenue fire on March 11, 2011.  Recently a tent burned down—that’s enough to make anybody tense.

Now we add the Main Avenue fire of February 6, 2015. Throughout Ocean Grove’s history there have been many fires which destroyed tinder box buildings including large hotels and boarding hoses.

But you would think that we would have been able to avoid repeats by using superior technology. Of course, many cases are due to human carelessness, and even Smoky the Bear can’t prevent that.

In 2011, an article in Blogfinger questioned the quality of fire investigations in Ocean Grove by County investigators.  Here is a link to a review of that subject. Hopefully they have improved in that area.  Note that none of these fires were found to be suspicious, not even the tent fire where the electricity and gas had been turned off. Spontaneous combustion perhaps?  And how about the “Friday February Fire of 2015?”  We’re told that it is “currently under investigation.”

Fire investigators article Blogfinger 2011

So now we have another big fire which will leave a large empty lot on Main Avenue, sort of like the large lots we acquired around the Manchester Inn and on Surf Ave. in the past.

In those locations, opulent single family homes went up. Before the Manchester burned there was talk of converting the building into condos, but that was not to be. Interestingly, the owner of that Inn said that rebuilding the hotel was economically unfeasible.

The Sampler was demolished,  and that site remains empty, awaiting construction of two Victorian wannabes. Meanwhile we have another blank space on Main Avenue.

The other double empty lot on the second Beach block of Main Ave. will be where Mary’s Place will be constructed.  I think something burned down there in the past.  (anybody know?)  That zoning story was discussed recently on BF.

So what will happen to the new vacant lots at the site of Friday’s fire?  Based on past experience, whatever happens will not be decided by the citizens, no matter how many hearings are held.  Representative government in this town is in some respects deficient, at least as far as those who live here are concerned.  Transparency of processes needs to be improved, such as in the zoning arena.  But, if we are dissatisfied , whose fault is that?  Just look in the mirror.

 

 

 

 

 

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Cleanup begins.  Sunday morning.  by Prosper Bellizia. Blogfinger staff.

Cleanup begins. Sunday morning. by Prosper Bellizia. Blogfinger staff.

Ocean Grove citizen reporters  (that includes all of you reading this):  Please send Blogfinger news and photos related to this huge story. Speak to neighbors and share the quotes or even bits of news that we can run as a narrative below.

Send to Blogfinger@verizon.net   People are interested in our community/hyperlocal news.  Yesterday we had over  6,300 visits to BF from the US and 10 other countries.

Meanwhile, the APP has a very good followup story this morning.  They report that dozens of people are homeless.  Fundraiser at the Starving Artist.  Here is the link with details:

Day two fire story APP link

SUNDAY  FEBRUARY 8  NARRATIVE:

11 am:  Spoke to Arnold Texiera at the Starving Artist, 47 Olin Street in Ocean Grove 07756.  The fund raising idea is being developed, and details will be available tomorrow after he meets with the Camp Meeting Assoc and other organizers.  Meanwhile, checks can be make out to the Starving Artist—write on the bottom “Fire Relief Fund.”

Noon.  Moe Demby sends link for Starving Artist:  Asbury Park Sun link

12:40 pm.  Neighbors from brother city Asbury Park speak to Blogfinger’s Lee Morgan, “from the heart.”   We have Nancy Sabino, owner of the Showroom Cinema and Ross Blanco from America’s Cup, both on Cookman Avenue:

 

 

3;27 PM:  Michael Kalish photo of the sign at the Barbaric Bean.  He peaked inside and only saw water on the floor.

 

Barbaric sign in the window of the Bean.  Michael Kalish :Blogfinger sign photographer.

Barbaric sign in the window of the Bean. By  Michael Kalish. Blogfinger citizen photographer.

Monday morning from Helen Slocum:    St Paul’s UMC is taking money donations through their Angel Fund. Make check to St. Pauls UMC and put Angel Fund/fire on message line.

Monday morning HOA:

Friday’s fire destroyed the homes and businesses of friends and neighbors.  Lending a hand in time of trouble is in the DNA of Ocean Grove.  Here’s how you can help:

Donate:

The Starving Artist is collecting cash donations.  Arnold Texiera is working with the Ocean Grove Fire Department to coordinate collection and distribution.

Ocean Grove Trading Company is collecting donations of clothing for adults and children.

Show your appreciation for the Ocean Grove Fire Department by making a cash contribution to support its commitment to our community.

Donations to the American Red Cross help fund relief response to local emergencies.

Volunteer:

The Ocean Grove Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services welcome qualified volunteers.

Shop Local:

Show your support by shopping local merchants that are aiding the relief effort.

If You Know Someone Who Was Displaced by the Fire.

The Emporium will provide a winter coat, hat, hoodie, scarf and gloves to any victim of the fire.

 

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