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Highlands Home Collapses While Being Lifted

billseward's Highlands Home Collapse 82313 album on Photobucket

Highlands, NJ- A home that had been damaged in Superstorm Sandy collapsed while being lifted above the floodplain this morning, destroying an adjoining home in the process.  No one was injured.  Both homes will be torn down this afternoon.

Borough Engineer Dale Leubner said that the cribbing, the wood palates piled to hold the structure while lifting takes place, apparently failed on one corner of the home, causing the collapse.

No one was home in either property. Leubner said that residents of the neighborhood were evacuated.  Fire Departments from Asbury Park, Middletown and Naval Weapons Station Earle were on hand to assist the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department in preventing further property damage or injury.  Utility workers from JCP&L and New Jersey Natural Gas were on hand to shut off the utilities in preparation of the demolitions.

Steven Hasenfus, President of Hasenfus Construction, the company hired to lift the Locust Ave home said, “It was an accident.” Hasenfus declined to comment further.  Hasenfus Construction has offices in Long Branch and in Plymouth, MA.  Hasenfus’s LinkedIn profile says he’s from the Great Boston area.

Mayor Nolan thanked the Highlands first responders, and those from the neighboring communities who arrived to assist and urged homeowners who are rebuilding and raising their home to be careful.  “Thank God no one was hurt.  This should be a cautionary tale for homeowners to be sure they hire qualified contractors and that those contractors have adequate insurance.”

Patricia Parker, President of the Highlands Fire Department’s Ladies Auxilary, said that homeowners who are lifting their homes should be sure to remove all valuable possession and important papers.

The owner of the home that collapsed is traveling out of state.  Friends and family are on the scene waiting to recover whatever possession are in the home after it is demolished.

The adjoining home has been abandoned since Hurricane Irene devastated the borough in 2011.

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Posted: August 23rd, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Flood Maps, Flooding, Frank Nolan, Highlands, Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, Superstorm Sandy | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

4 Comments on “Highlands Home Collapses While Being Lifted”

  1. I wonder said at 3:05 pm on August 23rd, 2013:

    is there insurance coverage for the NEW damage to the house. When we were looking at the possibility of lifting ours, we were told none. Nonetheless, more sad news for the homeowner. Wish them well.

    Jim G.

  2. Mark F. said at 4:16 pm on August 23rd, 2013:

    The house next door to me is in the process of being raised. During yesterday’s deluge in nor. Monmouth county I wondered if that baby next door could come down with the surging rain water undermining the supports. It didn’t. I wonder if the heavy rain contributed to this mishap. Like the flood wasn’t enough, these poor folks.

  3. A Dream Remembered | NJ News Commons said at 4:36 pm on August 28th, 2013:

    […] Raid Cedar Grove Massage Parlors Jersey Tomato Press* Highlands Home Collapses While Being Lifted More Monmouth Musings* The Toy Soldier Company: Home to Jersey City’s Little Big Man Jersey City Independent Shooting […]

  4. MoreMonmouthMusings » Blog Archive » A Second Highlands House Collapses said at 11:30 pm on September 13th, 2013:

    […] August 23, a house being lifted onto its temporary cribbing collapsed in the borough.  The contractor on the […]