EDGEWATER, NJ—Late news reports on NJ.com last night said New Jersey Gov. Christie and local officials were blaming the fire at Avalonbay Communities' Avalon at Edgewateron maintenance workers using a blowtorch to perform plumbing work. Edgewater's fire chief reportedly said the complex's wooden construction made the fire spread more quickly, but the company defended its construction as "standard, common, and safe," and "in accordance with the fire and safety codes applicable" at the time it was built.

Avalonbay says the fire that occurred on Wednesday, January 21 at the company's Avalon at Edgewater apartment community located in Edgewater, NJ caused extensive damage. One of two residential buildings, consisting of 257 apartment homes, is uninhabitable. Avalonbay says it is evaluating the extent of the damage to the second building, which consists of 151 apartment homes.

“As a result of the fire last night at Avalon at Edgewater, the apartment community's two buildings remain evacuated, Avalonbay's Michael Feigin, Chief Construction Officer, says in a statement. “We are awaiting a final determination from the Fire Department as to what portion of the community may be inhabitable moving forward. We very much appreciate the bravery and skill of the local firefighters in controlling and extinguishing the fire. We recognize the tremendous disruption that this incident has caused for residents and the community alike, and we are working with the Red Cross and local officials to assist residents. We are also fully cooperating with the fire marshal and other authorities as they investigate the fire and its causes.”