Emergency personnel closed Market Street all morning, creating traffic problems as vehicles were detoured to Walnut Street. According to a report, the residents were returning home when they saw the fire and asked neighbors to call 911. Units arriving on the scene found a two-story house with fire coming from the first floor windows. Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, but the house received heavy fire damage and a family dog perished. No other injuries were reported and the American Red Cross is assisting the residents who will stay with friends.
Plans still are subject to change.
Parks says officials are preparing alternative versions of the renovations for county commissioners to consider, depending on how much they're willing to spend. We hope to present that to them by mid-February. Bond proceeds also will pay for county reassessment and the 800 megahertz emergency radio system. Middlesex Township Planning Commission has recommended plan approval with two conditions, one dealing with the home's entrance off Claremont Road and the other with whether the county needs a setback variance on the Claremont Drive side. Alzheimer's wing targeted Besides overall modernizing, a goal of the renovation effort is to improve Claremont's 36-bed wing for patients with Alzheimer's Disease.