Parts of Washington Street Remain Closed; Damaged Building Will be Partially Demolished
The city sent out an update after Sunday night's fire at 300 Washington St.
The building that was devastated by a four-alarm fire on Sunday night will at least be partially demolished, according to city spokesman Juan Melli.
The building was deemed uninhabitable after the fire, since the top floor of the building as well as parts of the back of the building were entirely destroyed.
The inside of the building was made up of eight condos—two on each floor—and two commercial businesses on the ground floor.
"While all residents of the building are safe, one was treated for smoke inhalation on Sunday night," Mayor Dawn Zimmer said. "At least 17 residents lived in the building, and at least nine did not have insurance."
Washington Street between Second and Fourth Streets will remain blocked off for about a week, Melli said. The demolition of the building will likely take about a week.
During that time, NJ Transit is re-routing its buses.
The fire also damaged six vehicles parked on Third Street, according to a police report on the matter.
When the fire broke out around 7 p.m. on Sunday, firemen rescued four people from the roof of the next-door building. Police said the people—residents of 300 Washington St.—had escaped through the side window of the burning building. One of the residents was treated for smoke inhalation at Hoboken University Medical Center, police said.
A fundraiser has been organized for the victims of Sunday's fire for Friday March 2 at Room84.
Saints Peter and Paul Church is coordinating victim assistance.
This is the first big fire since another devastating blaze, which took place on Dec. 18 when a building on the corner of First and Jackson Streets burned down.
"Sadly, some of our residents lost everything, but we have a strong and generous community that is rallying to their side," Zimmer said, "so we ask residents to give as much as they can to help."
IPZ790
8:50 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
They are demolishing this pretty quickly, what about the building at 1st and Jackson, that's been there since December 18th, pieces still fall off and it smells horrible. But it aesthetically it doesn't matter to the city so I guess we'll just let it sit there and be a hazard for all residents living nearby.
Redrider765
9:09 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
It isn't a 5 story building threatening to collapse on pedestrians and motorists who happen to pass by.
HobokenDad
9:35 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I can understand that if you live next to !st and Jackson it is your primary concern.
The differences between the two properties I would think is that 300 Washington Street is that it is a much taller building and is much more of a danger to the public than the two story building on Jackson Street.
I would hope some of the facade of 300 Washington Street can be saved.
The city removed most of the burned second floor at building on Jackson Street and had the property owner install heavy metal gates to secure the property. I agree it is an ugly site but it has been ugly for the past 20 years.
It has been explained to me by City officials that legally only so much can be done and what can be done to remediate the site is being done.and if the owner of the property is not cooperative the process can drag on.