Dover residents are working to help their neighbors recover after a devastating fire.
Monday’s fire on North Warren Street destroyed five buildings, which included six businesses and several apartments. Over 100 people were displaced as a result.
About half of those displaced residents are still being helped with shelter from the town and the American Red Cross. The community center on Essex Street is one of the spots where people are being housed. There is a major effort underway to help them find permanent housing.
Crews have cleared most of the debris left over from the fire and building collapse. Power has been restored to the block, and Blackwell Street, which has been closed since the fire started, will reopen by Friday morning.
But the fire has changed many lives.
Stan Busch owns a business in one of the buildings. The business survived, but he must remain closed for the time being.
"Every day we are losing money, certainly. We are also in the process of selling the building,” he says.
There is roof damage and possible structural damage to the rear wall of his building, so his planned liquidation will have to wait.
Fabian Beltran owns La Notaria, which was destroyed. He says that he is confident that he will recover, so he is helping out his neighboring business owners with his background in insurance.
“Most of them don’t even speak the language. They didn’t’ know how to start the process. They don’t know how to file a claim,” he says.
Dover officials have been in touch with the New Jersey Apartment Association, asking for all open listings. The NJAA is also helping another way.
"Some of the registration fees, some of the security fees will be removed. Everyone is working together,” says Mayor James Dodd.
Dover residents have also stepped up to help out the community – a day after the fire, donations came pouring in to help those affected.