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Archive for the ‘Ocean Grove fire February 2015’ Category

Letter to the Editor from Steve Valk in Frankfurt, Germany

Posted in Letter to the editor, Ocean Grove feature article, Ocean Grove fire February 2015, Ocean Grove opinions, tagged , on March 16, 2024|

 

Steve Valk. 2013 in Ocean Grove. Paul Goldfinger photo.

 

Modern OG history—2015

Dear Paul and everyone at Blogfinger…

Thanks for doing this reporting. Main Avenue isn`t just private property. It is part of the Ocean Grove “commons”… I am sure the wider OG community (extending all the way to Frankfurt, Germany where I am writing from and beyond…) will come together to make the rebuilding of this part of town.. once again… “an example for others to follow… (as was the case with the boardwalk and further damage from hurricane Sandy”)

I am calling on everyone in the larger Ocean Grove Community to take up their roles as loving and active neighbors and friends as I am sure they will…

Your work Paul… is one powerful example of this indefatigable spirit and communitarian work ethic… Many thanks… Steve Valk

Steve Valk, Feb. 7, 2015.

 

Editor’s Note:  Steve is a summer visitor to Ocean Grove. His family has been coming here for generations, so he has a Grovarian view of things.  We have posted prior interviews with him.  He is a social scientist with some unique opinions about our town and how it could work in the future.  Here is a link to our last post about him.   —Paul Goldfinger. Editor Blogfinger.net. 2015.

Steve Valk on Blogfinger August 2014

 

JOE TEMPERLEY.    “Polka Dots and Moonbeams”

 

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Little progress at the 50 Main Avenue construction site. BF Photo News.

Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove fire February 2015, tagged on April 3, 2016| 2 Comments »

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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Discussion begins regarding the fate of the Feb. 6, 2015 fire site.

Posted in Ocean Grove fire February 2015, Ocean Grove news, tagged , on February 26, 2015| 3 Comments »

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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Main Avenue fire site—current status

Posted in Ocean Grove fire February 2015, tagged on February 25, 2015| 1 Comment »

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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Fire Foto that we missed on Feb. 6, 2015: “Great shot!”

Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove fire February 2015, tagged on February 12, 2015|

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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Monday. February 9, 2015. Day 3 after the fire. Share info and photos, and we will post them here today. This is the place—-3,600 visits yesterday by people interested in Ocean Grove.

Posted in Ocean Grove fire February 2015, tagged on February 9, 2015|

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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Musings on a winter fire and empty lots on our streets.

Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Blogfinger's Opinions, Ocean Grove fire 3/11/11, Ocean Grove fire February 2015, Ocean Grove fires, Ocean Grove zoning, tagged , on February 8, 2015| 8 Comments »

 

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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Sunday, Feb 8. Second day after the fire. Be careful, citizen reporters at work for Blogfinger.

Posted in Ocean Grove fire February 2015, tagged on February 8, 2015| 9 Comments »

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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Three Alarm Fire Devastates Businesses and Apartments on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove

Posted in Blogfinger Presents, Ocean Grove fire February 2015, Ocean Grove Gallery, tagged , , on February 7, 2015| 11 Comments »

Ocean Grove, Friday, Feb 6, 2015 © Fred Ohleth.

Ocean Grove, Friday, Feb 6, 2015 © Fred Ohleth.

By Yvette Blackman, Blogfinger contributing writer

White plumes of smoke rose above the Village Kloset Friday afternoon, three hours after a fast-moving fire that started in an apartment above the small store quickly spread to several other apartments in the building, authorities said. One firefighter suffered minor injuries and witnesses said three dogs were rescued from the building.

The fire, which started shortly after 3 p.m., left four businesses and five apartments with smoke and heat damage, in addition to the attic of a house on neighboring Heck Avenue, said Michael Bascom, Emergency Management Coordinator for Neptune Township.

The roof of the three-story building housing the Village Kloset collapsed, Bascom said, but the fire was largely contained to the building housing the women’s clothing and accessories store.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Temperatures that dipped just below freezing made the firefighters’ job a difficult one.

“We have a lot of old structures close to each other,” Bascom said. “Roads are frozen, the water is frozen, and firefighters are dealing with cold temperatures.”

An elderly man who lived two floors above the Village Kloset at No. 50 Main was taking shelter at the Youth Temple, waiting for the Red Cross.

“I saw the fire coming up from the apartment underneath me, and the smoke alarm went off,” said the man, who asked not to be identified. “I’m homeless now.”

Yvonne Paradiso, owner of Yvonne’s Café, appeared devastated as she stood across the street watching firefighters turn their hoses on the building she had spent the last couple years renovating. The café, which is open year-round with about eight employees, last year added outdoor heat lamps to encourage the late summer crowds to linger into the cool evenings.

“It took a really long time to get this done,” she said, her voice cracking as her eyes glistened with tears.

 

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