Wheaton Building Fire Called Accidental
Monday, November 26 2007 @ 05:05 pm EST
Contributed by: CBrining
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By THOMAS BARLAS Staff Writer, 609-272-7201
AC Press Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - After a nine-week investigation, authorities say they believe they know what caused a fire that gutted parts of the old Wheaton plastics factory on Mill Street in Mays Landing in September.
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Officials from the Hamilton Township Police Department and Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said it appears the fire began accidentally and was the result of some ongoing renovation work that involved the use of cutting torches.
However, they also said that the cause of the fire "cannot be determined with absolute certainty."
The Sept. 10 blaze gutted about three of the nine buildings on the six-acre site, which developers hoped to turn into upscale condominiums with scenic views of Lake Lenape and the Great Egg Harbor River. Authorities eventually ordered the demolition of some old, charred masonry walls, fearing those structures no longer were safe.
Investigators on Monday said the fire appeared to have started in a small building in the center of the factory complex. The location of that building allowed the fire to spread rapidly through several nearby buildings, they said.
Investigators said they ruled out "intentional ignition," and said there was no indication of criminal activity or evidence of people being on the property unlawfully. There also were no other "potential sources of ignition," they said.
No information was available Monday regarding who was working in the building.
Township construction officials declined to release any information pending the submission of a formal request under the state Open Public Records Act.
Mark Bellin, president of Fieldstone Development Group of Newark, the condominium project developer, also wasn't available for comment.
The fire began at about 6 p.m. Thick, black smoke rose into the darkening evening sky and could be seen six miles away at the Hamilton Mall.
Authorities said the blaze drew units from about 24 fire companies. As many as eight other fire companies were on call to cover the communities whose firefighting equipment was in Mays Landing, they said.
Many firefighters remained on the scene overnight. Those who were left on the scene the next morning looked exhausted, done in from the heat of the fire and humid weather. Rescue personnel were still stocking a blue emergency tent with ice and drinks for firefighters at 9 a.m. that day.
The fire occurred a week after Hamilton Township Committee approved a redevelopment plan to turn the factory complex into the centerpiece of a program to help rejuvenate downtown Mays Landing.
Fieldstone planned to convert the complex into as many as 180 upscale condominiums. It also would include a place for people to walk along the waterfront and visit local stores.
Bellin said after the fire that the company planned to continue with its development plans.
(The Elwood Fire Company responded for a cover assignment Laureldale Station 18-3 while they were at the Weaton Plastics structure fire. While we were there we were called to a car fire on Rt 322 Click here for the whole story.)
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