EDGEWATER Maintenance workers accidentally sparked the blaze that torched an Edgewater apartment complex Wednesday and displaced more than 1,000 people, officials said.
Gov. Chris Christie and local officials on Thursday night confirmed that maintenance workers performing plumbing work with a blowtorch started the fire.
After the fire started in the walls of a first floor apartment, the workers called a supervisor before calling 911, Police Chief William Skidmore said. It took 15 minutes before the call was made, a long time in a fire, he said.
But the delay wasn't criminal, Skidmore said.
"It was an accident," he said. "It was a tragic accident, but that's what it was. It was not a criminal act."
The cause of the fire was determined by an investigation by the Bergen County Proseuctor's Office arson squad.
Chistie, along with county and local officials, revealed these details in a press conference outside the Edgewater Community Center, where the town is providing aid to displaced residents. The governor and his cabinet huddled with Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, Mayor Michael McPartland and local emergency responders before greeting relief workers and victims of the fire.
Gov. Christie and police chief say Edgewater fire accidentalIn a press conference at the Edgewater Community Center, Gov. Chris Christie and William Skidmore, the Edgewater Police Chief, said that the massive fire was accidental but that an investigation into the building codes would be conducted. (Video by John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)He said he wanted to assure victims that the state was working to ensure the "transition" after the fire was as smooth as possible.
"At times like this most people are concerned they'll be forgotten," Christie said. "That's why I'm here, to make sure people know that we won't forget."
Christie said the state would conduct a separate investigation to ensure the building met current fire codes. He also said the state may review current fire codes in the wake of the fire.
Edgewater Fire Chief Tom Jacobson said earlier the lightweight, wooden construction of the Avalon Bay complex allowed the flames to spread so rapidly. In a statement released Thursday afternoon, AvalonBay Communities, owners of the complex, said the building met fire and safety codes.
"The purpose of those codes is not to prevent the building from burning down, but rather to ensure that there is sufficient time and opportunity for all occupants to exit safely in the event of a fire," the company wrote. "We are grateful that everyone at Avalon at Edgewater was able to leave the building and get to safety without serious injury."
A spokesman declined to immediately comment on the results of the arson squad investigation.
Borough schools will be closed again Friday, McPartland said. He urged everyone to stay away from the area as authorities continue to work on the site.
The fire destroyed 240 of the complex's 408units, permanently displacing 500 residents and temporarily forcing another 520 people from nearby homes. Hundreds of emergency personnel membersfrom 35 different towns responded to the fire, which was still smoldering on Thursday.
Almost all of the displaced residents who have not found shelter are staying at local hotels, McPartland said. Many of the displaced received aid at the community center, where representatives various groups, including insurance companies, the state Motor Vehicle Commission, the county, hotels and even rental agents from other apartment buildings were on hand to help victims.
Anyone wishing to donate to the victims of the fire can use fundraising page set up by the borough at http://www.gofundme.com/edgewater-fire. McPartland said this is the only Edgewater-sanctioned fundraiser.
NJ Advance Media Staff Writer Noah Cohen contributed reporting
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Source: http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2015/01/christie_speaks_about_edgewater_fire.html
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