Avalonbay Says Fire-Damaged Avalon at Edgewater Remains 'Evacuated'

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.