Building's floor partially collapses at Hawthorne Garden apartments, displacing residents

The collapse affected Building E at the complex.

Bob Doda and Ali Reid

Jan 28, 2024, 5:32 PM

Updated 102 days ago

Share:

A building's partial floor collapse at the Hawthorne Garden apartments displaced residents Sunday morning. The collapse affected Building E at the complex. Red Cross was assisting at least 10 families find shelter. Another 30 families, however, may potentially need to be relocated as well.
The collapse occurred just after 9 a.m. inside the basement of Building E located off Rock Road. A wall failed, which took out the rest of the retaining walls.
Hawthorne Fire Chief Joe Speranza said buildings D, F and H won't have any heat or gas "because of the compromise."
"When the building fell, it fell on nine boilers," he said. "The boilers are pretty much destroyed. Gas leaks have been secured. Water has been secured and electric has been secured."
Officials said the nine boilers supplied heat to 40 units in the complex.
Speranza said there were no injuries.
Residents will not be allowed back inside of the building for the time being as crews anticipate another section of the building will fall. They prepared a collapse zone for it.
Impacted resident Mike Barchetto said he heard a loud bang followed by an alarming crackling noise.
"I noticed my deck was sunken in and the bricks were starting to separate like we were going to lose the first floor of the apartment," he recalled. "There's a lot of issues here that need to be addressed, safety issues for the residents that live here."
Speranza said the issue may have been building for years and Sunday's rain could have been the factor that aggravated the situation. He said it most likely can be tied to an excess of water in the ground.


More from News 12
1:51
NJ Transit announces one-way tickets will expire after 30 days starting in July

NJ Transit announces one-way tickets will expire after 30 days starting in July

2:07
KIYC: Does the Open Public Record Act Reform Bill damage democracy?

KIYC: Does the Open Public Record Act Reform Bill damage democracy?

2:13
Cloudy with occasional showers overnight; on-and-off Friday showers

Cloudy with occasional showers overnight; on-and-off Friday showers

1:39
‘Everything they had is gone.’ Large fire destroys Maplewood home

‘Everything they had is gone.’ Large fire destroys Maplewood home

0:22
Police: 130 political campaign signs stolen from Howell Township properties

Police: 130 political campaign signs stolen from Howell Township properties

0:45
Reps. Norcross, Gottheimer criticize Rutgers’ handling of pro-Palestinian protest

Reps. Norcross, Gottheimer criticize Rutgers’ handling of pro-Palestinian protest

0:51
Jersey Proud: Hundreds of police officers embark on Police Unity Tour

Jersey Proud: Hundreds of police officers embark on Police Unity Tour

1:07
Groundbreaking held for new open-air retail center on site of former Monmouth Mall

Groundbreaking held for new open-air retail center on site of former Monmouth Mall

2:41
Menendez bribery trial set to begin: A history of the senator's corruption accusations

Menendez bribery trial set to begin: A history of the senator's corruption accusations

0:30
Holy Cow! Cattle seen wandering around Toms River street

Holy Cow! Cattle seen wandering around Toms River street

2:04
Crews begin restoring severely eroded beaches at Ortley Beach

Crews begin restoring severely eroded beaches at Ortley Beach

0:44
General Pencil Company in Jersey City celebrates 135th year in operation

General Pencil Company in Jersey City celebrates 135th year in operation

0:45
Court documents: Mount Olive day care worker admitted to 'unintentionally' assaulting toddler

Court documents: Mount Olive day care worker admitted to 'unintentionally' assaulting toddler

1:35
Security upgrades at Newark Liberty International Airport are underway. What travelers need to know.

Security upgrades at Newark Liberty International Airport are underway. What travelers need to know.

0:23
Woman accused of breaking into Hudson County post offices 6 times, stealing mail

Woman accused of breaking into Hudson County post offices 6 times, stealing mail

1:52
New Sea Girt ordinance bans digging large holes at beach for safety reasons

New Sea Girt ordinance bans digging large holes at beach for safety reasons

2:01
Meeting alpacas and more at Ocean Township animal park

Meeting alpacas and more at Ocean Township animal park

0:43
Miss Teen USA, who represents New Jersey, steps down days after Miss USA

Miss Teen USA, who represents New Jersey, steps down days after Miss USA

0:50
Marine officials: Dead whale caught on cruise ship's bow in Brooklyn

Marine officials: Dead whale caught on cruise ship's bow in Brooklyn

0:28
Police: 2 women arrested, accused of disrupting Teaneck council meeting

Police: 2 women arrested, accused of disrupting Teaneck council meeting