60 Nursing Home Residents Evacuated After Pipe Bursts In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Nearly 60 residents at the Whiting Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Home were evacuated from their rooms Tuesday morning after a water pipe burst at the facility, Manchester police said.

The water pipe at the facility burst about 2:30 a.m., Manchester Capt. Albert Vega said. It affected the fire suppression at the facility, at 3000 Hilltop Road, and there was water leaking from the ceiling, he said.

The issue was believed to be caused by the cold weather, Vega said.

Manchester Township building and fire inspectors assessed the damage and determined the south wing of the facility had to be evacuated for the safety of the patients because the electrical systems had to be shut down and the fire suppression system was inoperable, Vega said.

There were 59 patients relocated, with 13 moved to other wings of Whiting Gardens, and 46 patients transferred to associated facilities, including Shore Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing in Toms River and Trenton Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing in Trenton, he said.

The following agencies responded and assisted with the investigation, assessment, and relocation efforts: Manchester Township Police Department, EMS, and Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Department of Public Works, Building Department, and Fire Inspector; Whiting Volunteer Fire Department; Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Marshal, Office of Emergency Management, and EMS Task Force; New Jersey State EMS Task Force, State Fire Marshal, and State Department of Health; GEM EMS; American Red Cross; Active Fire Protection; AP Electric; Gold Star Restoration; DJG Insulation, and several representatives from Whiting Gardens, Vega said.

"The Manchester Township Police Department extends its gratitude to all agencies and personnel who responded swiftly and worked collaboratively to ensure the safety of all residents and staff during this incident," Vega said.

The south wing of the facility will remain closed until repairs and remediation efforts are completed and will be reoccupied once the Manchester Township Fire Official and its Building Department give their approvals, he said.

The long-term nursing facility has 200 beds, according to the state Department of Health.

Family members seeking information are encouraged to contact Whiting Gardens administration directly at 732-849-4400.