Fire at Building 1600 on December 28, 2010
On Tuesday, December 28, at approximately 5:15 p.m., a fire in Building 1600 of Ravens Crest East was reported to 9-1-1. It originated in a ground-floor unit on the side of the building closest to the volleyball court. Approximately 150 firefighters and 25 trucks from at least 6 companies responded to the call, including Plainsboro, East Windsor, Cranbury, Lawrenceville, and Hightstown. The final trucks left around 10:30 p.m. The fire then rekindled at 1:30 a.m., which a fire truck returned to extinguish, and again at 2:45 a.m., at which point three firefighters volunteered to stand watch until the morning. The final embers were found at approximately 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, when daylight allowed fire personnel to safely access and extinguish anything left smoldering.
All the residents of Building 1600 who were home at the time of the fire were safely evacuated; no injuries occurred. Some firefighters suffered minor shoulder and eye injuries. All pets are also believed to be okay, with the exception of one fish, who passed away on Thursday.
Building 1600 contains 16 one-bedroom units, three of which were vacant (not rented out by the owners). The residents of the four units at the far end of the building (1613–1616) were allowed to return to their homes at the end of the evening after power had been restored. The other 12 units have varying amounts of damage, ranging from complete destruction to solely water and smoke damage. Sixteen residents occupying 10 units were displaced by the fire. Fire personnel were able to go into most of the units that evening to retrieve vital property (cell phones, purses, medications, etc.) for those residents.
The Red Cross of Princeton and New Brunswick and EMS of several townships also responded to the fire. The RCE Management Office was opened to the Red Cross once the fire had been sufficiently reduced to allow access, with entry rerouted through the pool area. The Red Cross, who stayed until about 12:30 a.m., provided some of the displaced residents with temporary shelter in a nearby hotel and funds for clothing and food. Neighbors also provided warmer clothing for some of the residents. Those not provided with hotel accommodations by the Red Cross stayed with friends or family. Since copies of insurance policies are kept in the RCE Management Office, board members were also able to provide copies of those policies to tenants and owners.
KPI2, the contractor who completed the Renovation Project in 2009, responded immediately after the site was cleared by the fire department. They fenced off the affected area and boarded up those 12 units for security.
Plainsboro Township has condemned Units 1601–1608 and 1610. Units 1609, 1611, and 1612, which suffered only water damage, are deemed uninhabitable because the electric and water have been shut off.
PLEASE NOTE: For the foreseeable future, please enter the Management Office through the pool gate, which is located in the 1801–2020 parking lot. This is for everyone’s safety as the back wall of Building 1600 closest to the Management Office is structurally unsound.
Please see below for answers to commonly asked questions.
FAQs
What caused the fire?
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. We are waiting for the Plainsboro Fire Marshal’s final report. More information will be available when that has been released.
Where are the people staying?
The displaced residents are in nearby hotels or with friends and family. RCE Management is working to find vacant units available for rent within the Association for the longer term.
How can I help?
The RCE Management and Board are working to establish what help is needed. If you are interested in helping, we are currently only taking names and numbers until a specific plan is in place. However, we are actively seeking units available for rent to offer to the displaced residents. If you have one, please notify the Management Office at 609-275-7353 or
management@ravenscresteast.com.
When can the displaced residents move back in?
The RCE Management and Board have been advised by the township and our insurance representatives that the residents may be out of their units for a year or longer. Once the township and the insurance companies have completed their investigations, we will look to expedite the reconstruction process as much as possible to help our residents return home.
How can I be better prepared for a fire or prevent fires?
- If a fire starts in your residence and you cannot quickly extinguish it, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- If you notice a fire, don’t presume someone else has reported it unless fire personnel are already on site. Please report it immediately to 9-1-1.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and know how to use it.
- Replace the batteries in your battery-operated smoke detectors twice a year—usually when daylight savings occurs.
- Have your fireplace cleaned every year, as required by RCE bylaws.
- Have your dryer ducts cleaned every two years, as required by RCE bylaws.
- Make sure your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance is current and has adequate coverage. Be sure to provide a copy of your insurance policy declaration page to the RCE Management Office each year upon renewal or if you change providers.
- Know where your vital information, papers, and medications are, and keep them quickly accessible in case of an emergency.
- Maintain a list of valuables and their purchase dates and prices if applicable. Store the records off-site, in a fire safe, or somewhere it can be electronically accessed when needed.
How much insurance coverage do I need for “loss of use”?
Loss of use insurance coverage pays for the cost of replacement housing during the time you are unable to live in your home. This should cover both your immediate housing costs in a hotel for a week or more and cover your longer-term rental for a year or more for homeowners. Currently, one-bedroom units rent for about $1,000 per month, and two-bedrooms rent for up to $1,500 per month. This means a homeowner’s loss of use coverage for a one-bedroom unit should be $12,000 or more, and $18,000 or more for two-bedroom units. This should be re-evaluated each year upon renewal as rents do fluctuate and increase over time. Since tenants do not have mortgage, tax, and maintenance fee payment obligations, their coverage should cover their immediate housing costs at a hotel until they can find another apartment or condo to rent. Please consult your insurance agent to discuss your specific insurance coverage needs.