Tent fire. Ocean Grove, near the Great Auditorium. Photo by Prosper Bellizia, Blogfinger staff. © 7:44 am, January 21, 2015
Interior view by Tom Costantino, Blogfinger staff. Ocean Grove. © January 21, 2015.
7:38 am. By Prosper Bellizia. Note the Tabernacle to the left.
Two Blogfinger citizen reporters were at the scene of a tent fire this morning which was reported at 2:50 am by a nearby resident. The Ocean Grove Fire Department and neighboring fire departments quickly contained the fire. The fire destroyed a tent near the Great Auditorium, over towards the Tabernacle, on the Front Circle. Two other nearby tents were also damaged. Three firemen sought medical attention for minor injuries. One had slipped on the ice. No details are currently available about the others.
A Fire Department officer said that a squatter staying in the tent may have been responsible, but no one has been apprehended. Gas company personnel were present at the scene. The electric was reportedly turned off for the winter at the tent community. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Mr. Gradone of the OGCMA thanked the resident who first reported the fire.
Please let us know if you have any more information about this worrisome event. (Blogfinger@verizon.net).
Reporting by Prosper Bellizia and Tom Costantino, both of Ocean Grove. Other information from JP Gradone of the OGCMA.
OG tent in its winter garb. The canvas part is put away. The wooden structure is permanent. Dec. 2014. Paul Goldfinger photo ©