Hundreds displaced after two ceilings collapse at apartment complex

EDISON, N.J (PIX11) -- More than 200 apartments were evacuated after a ceiling collapsed amid remnants of Debby passing through New Jersey on Friday.

Edison Township Mayor, Sam Joshi announced that 11 out 12 buildings at the Evergreen Meadows complex were declared an “imminent hazard.” Friday’s ceiling collapse was the second at the residential complex in a week after the same issue occurred in another apartment on Aug. 3.

No one was injured in Friday’s ceiling collapse however one person suffered a minor injury from the incident on Aug. 3.

Although the ceiling came down amid remnants of Debby hitting the tri-state, the mayor says the weather did not cause the issue. Heat in the ceiling caused nails to expand and the management kept patching it over instead of fixing the issue, the mayor said.

“We’re all hands on deck and are working on hotel accommodations until this issue is resolved,” said mayor Joshi. “I will not sleep until all residents have their accommodations.”

Garden Communities Management, who the mayor says was in charge of the apartment complex, will pay for hotel stays for residents who don’t have other accommodations. Township leaders are also providing assistance at the Edison Senior Center until the building is repaired and cleared for safety. 

A representative for Garden Communities issued the following statement:

“We can confirm that multiple buildings at Evergreen Meadows were evacuated on
Friday, August 9, following an inspection indicating potential safety issues. We are
grateful for the support and assistance our residents have received from the Township
during a stressful situation, and we are committed to working toward a resolution that
will ensure their ability to return safely to their homes as soon as possible.”

Mayor Joshi says he expects to have the issue resolved in two days.