Here We Go Again

Yesterday morning I was up before the sun, as my work schedule requires, and put on the local news to get a traffic and weather report.  Earlier predictions of possible snow seemed to have changed.  The  big news, taking up most the time for the next hour, was about a large fire in Ocean Grove.  The town was built long ago and is known for its old fashioned houses.  Much of the town is still technically owned by a church, and just a few decades ago, locked gates would keep cars from entering the town every Sunday.  It's still very scenic, but probably not an easy place to live.  The houses are mostly old, very crowded together, often just a few feet between them, with not much yard, often no driveways. Streets are narrow, and when the summer crowds arrive, very difficult to drive.  Almost no parking is available- I always advise visitors to come off season.  And like so many Jersey shore towns along the coast, the wind never stops blowing.

Because of all this, whenever a fire breaks out in Ocean Grove, it quickly spreads.  Predawn the tv showed massive fireballs.  As daylight appeared, large clouds of smoke filled the skies.  Took out a couple of houses and spread to a large condo complex (converted hotel, all made of wood).  This was in a part of town right by the lake that separates Ocean Grove from Asbury Park, and much water from that lake was drawn to help fight the fires.  Other side of town from where the Studio is, so that wasn't in danger, and it never made it to the nearby Carousel House or Casino building on the Asbury side.  Good news- no deaths or major injuries, through the news reported that about 100 people were driven from their homes.  (one of the hotels is offering free temporary lodging for those displaced) I've been living in the area for about 2 decades, and I've seen quite a few fires move through Ocean Grove.  But everyone is fine, the Studio is fine, no artwork damaged, life goes on.