Burst Pipe Forces 87 From Toms River Assisted Living Facility

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Eighty-seven residents of an assisted living facility were evacuated Saturday after a burst pipe flooded the first floor of the building, Toms River fire officials said Sunday.

No injuries were reported, officials said.

A pipe broke in the first-floor ceiling and triggered a water flow alarm at Magnolia Gardens Assisted Living facility at 1935 Lakewood Road about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. By the time crews from the Pleasant Plains Fire Department were able to shut off the sprinkler system via the basement, the first floor had been flooded with 3 inches of water, said Kevin Esposito, chief inspector with the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention.

Fire Chief Dan Roman, the incident commander, requested Jersey Central Power & Light to respond and secure power to the facility after fire officials determined the electrical panels in the basement and the two main elevators had sustained heavy water damage.

Esposito deemed the building unsafe and ordered the evacuation of all staff and residents, with the 87 residents first move to Complete Care, located on the same property as Magnolia Gardens, before being moved to Green Acres Manor Nursing Home while repairs are being made.

Once the building was fully evacuated, the water and electrical service were shut off. Inspector Matt Janora of the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention issued an order to repair the fire sprinkler system, the fire alarm system, and have an electrician evaluate the electrical system before power can be restored, Esposito said.

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