A Long, Long Night At Crystal Lake

by Patricia A. Miller

The Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Center on Lakeside Drive has been deemed uninhabitable after a diesel fuel leak and propane leak were detected on Thursday night, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Roughly 230 residents had to be evacuated to other facilities in the darkness because of poor air quality and a carbon monoxide issue on the first, second and third floors, she said.

Bayville Fire Company Chief Kenneth Anderson and Berkeley Township Fire Official Jack Weigartner received an anonymous tip stating there was a heavy odor of diesel fuel with a possible leak inside the building. When they went to examine the building, they determined there was an active fuel leak in the base in the boiler area.

“Once Chief Anderson realized the extent of the situation, he notified the Berkeley Township Police Department and the Berkeley Township Construction Official, Tony Cirz,“ the chief said.

Cirz declared the building unsafe due to a diesel fuel leak creating a hazard condition to air quality and potential for fire due to the proximity of leak to the boiler system. The boilers had to be shut down in order to secure the leak, which left the building without heat, DiMichele said.

“While handling the initial situation we encountered a secondary issue, a severed propane leak along with a carbon monoxide issue on the first, second and third floors,” the chief said. ”As a result of the above stated incidents an evacuation was ordered of all personnel and patients.

DiMichele activated the Office of Emergency Management. The Bayville Fire Company, Berkeley Hazmat Team, Bayville First Aid Squad, Berkeley First Aid, the Ocean County Health Department and the state Department of Environmental Protection also responded.

“We had tremendous assistance from both the Ocean County and Monmouth County sheriff departments along with many first aid and haz-mat units,” said Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. ”I want to thank again all the tireless volunteers for the assistance they provided last night. ”

Police, emergency management services and fire personnel all assisted in relocating patients to alternate facilities throughout the area, she said.

“It was a rough night,” Anderson said today.