PHOTOS & VIDEO [UPDATED 10:20 PM]. A crime scene has been established at Tent City this evening after police found a body in the remains of a tent consumed in a fire. The fire was reported at about 7:50 PM at the homeless camp located in the woods about 100 feet off of Route 88 – the same place Rev. James Wilcox died in 2009.
The fire was extinguished about 20 minutes later, and when the smoke cleared, a body was discovered.
Lakewood Detectives Bureau, the Sheriff’s Department as well as the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Officer responded to the scene to investigate. TLS.
(This story was first reported on our News Alerts).
I just read the article in ami magazine about the fire hazards there!
This is crazy. Ami Magazine had an article this week about Ten City and the fire hazard posed by the wood stoves. And now this! I think Ami’s editors must have a second sight.
It’s by the railroad tracks
how many tent citys are thier in Lakewood as i know thier is one on Ceder Bridge
its not by tent city. its by the gas station.
Is this fire by tent city or in a separate area near the tracks?
I’m with the above posters who just read the AMI article. We need to really look into the hazards created by the multiple fires that are in use. When our community wants to celebrate Lag Ba’Omer or Erev Pesach Chometz burning, we must abide by the rules of the fire department and it is for everyone’s safety. Regardless of the legalities of their encampment, why should tent city be any different?
I actually thought the Ami article was out of place…..
tHERE IS ALWAYS FIRES THERE
Its time to get rid of those homeless low lives that keep costing us taxpayers money!
A terrible way to die, alone and homeless.
Not all homeless are ‘lowlifes’.
Some are just down on their luck and have nowhere to go, or don’t want to be a burden on their families.
There, but for the grace of G-d, go you!
its not by tent city people! its by the railroad tracks! tent city has rules and regulations in place to assure something like this doesnt happen so don’t add this incident to your vendetta of making sure these people are truley homeless. instead of looking down on them and resorting to childish name calling like “i hate tent city”, maybe we could all get together as g-ds children to figure out a solution for these poor people who are down on their luck and need our compassion- and i’m not talking about just shipping them out to other counties and making it their problem. prayers for the person who was fatally injured in this horrific incident and prayers to all the people who don’t have it good as those that stand in judgment of them. RIP <3
#7 You have some valid points about permits, and how some seem to fall thru the cracks when it comes to enforcing the law. As for who makes the rule, it’s not the local fire dept, but the State of NJ. that makes up the statutes and regulations pertaining to outside fires. Just a shame that everywhere you look today you can find tents pitched in the wood. People are suffering and Washington has not a clue how to get the economy going again. Rest in peace homeless person.
To – “I hate tent city says: “—- it ain’t just the homeless who are costing us taxpayers money.
Why can’t we just close that place down tonight its a hazard in soo many ways
dont knock till you walk a mile in their shoes
to # 10 you are wrong for saying that these people have no where to live. And they are not the only thing costing us money.
Don’t knock until you walk a mile in their shoes is exactly it! I’m most certain no one ever dreams of living the life-style of the homeless; but yet, some still land there (where ever that might be). Who was the person who posted “let’s get rid of them”… ??? Hope that person never falls into bad times…
hoe come my posts never come up?
Many of them live ther by choice.
it is well known that they were offered other options & refused.
this article is wrong.. i been to TENT CITY many of times.. this is a different place in the woods… and dont knock being homeless.. one day u just might be in that place.. there is many reason as to y they ppl are out there in the woods.. by dont u stop and think to donate some of ur old things around the house that u dont use no more.. there is a say.. one mans JUNK is another mans TREASURE!!!!…. so stop and think for a min.. this could be one of ur family members living in the woods one day…
To those that “hate tent city,” where would you like them to go? Have you been down there and talked to them? Until there is another option, they have to live somewhere and are just trying to survive. What would you have them do? If you have a solution I’m sure that there are many that are all ears.
It was not the camp on Cedar Bridge Ave, it was the one near the RR tracks behind 100 ocean ave, and its still tragic to burn up in a fire..I am sure many of you would choose not to go this way if you have the choice.
There is no way not to feel bad for this person who died and the rest who live in such encampments. The truth is that many of these people have substance abuse or mental preoblems.They are almost all sick. Living in filth and squalor is no way to live much less to die. Getting burned to death (even if he was possibly in an drunken stupor) is beyond horrible.
Should these people be forced into shelters etc.? Possibly but before discussing these issues show some compassion, so you don’t come off sounding like cold hearted sub-humans!
#22, WELL SAID!
There must be a better way! The courts are blocking eviction, because there is no plan B. This means that a Plan B is essential. When human beings are no longer able or willing to car for themselves, then it is incumbent on government and/or social agencies to step up and provide necessary services. When services are declined, the appropriate agency needs to put Plan B into action that deals with the situation effectively.
The courts are saying very clearly GET A PLAN B, so that we can effect a remedy for this ongoing issue. We cannot sit back and wring our hands any longer. Sooner or later, there will be a significant legal action seeking great retribution for our inaction in this time of crisis.
In the mean time, Dear Lord, may his/her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen
It is admirable to have compassion for these poor homeless people. However, how about having compassion for the local taxpayers who have been made responsible to support them. I recall an article (I believe it was in APP) about a year ago which discussed one of the homeless couples who moved into Tent City from Queens, NY. What makes Lakewood, Ocean County or New Jersey taxpayers liable to pay for these migrants from other locales?
To Bill Hobday says:
You hit the nail right on the head, this town has the money to waste on other things but will not address this problem.
The town should now do something to house these unfortunate people. They are people and they live in the US so its time the US government did something about the starving and homeless here. The rest of the world needs to learn to take care of themselves. Home first then help other countries. I blame Lakewood for letting this happen. Give these people shelter and food.
The Indians lived in tents (tepees) for centuries. They seemed to do alright.
Hey Ted,
This town has done something for these folks. They provided garbage pick up, social workers, police protection,etc. they set up liaisons w numerous social services to provide housing alternatives. All efforts were flatly rejected by “Reverand” Bigham. Frankly as a taxpayer in this town I would be thrilled if Bigham packs up his tent and moves to another town. But he won’t because he knows other towns wouldn’t tolerate him for a moment.
To #22 “Kimberly”: You obviously have no knowledge of the situation. These people were offered alternative living spaces but these offers were promptly rejected by the “tent city” occupants or the “reverend” representing them.
This case is a perfect example of the hazards that they can cause. I do not want to be the next person to hit a drunk pedestrian trying to cross a dark Cedar Bridge at night.
This may sound selfish, but these people already refused help. Now it’s time to think of ourselves.
Get these people out of there!
Ocean County needs to build a permanent homeless shelter. I’ve been to the one in Atlantic City and it is a good example of what can be done. That way these unfortunate people wouldn’t have to live out there. C’mon people think already.
Wow! Some of these comments are so mean-spirited. Someone lost their life. Does it really matter where it happened. I’m sure they have a family somewhere, and may not be that fortunate as some of you. Some people do get sick and have nowhere to go and do the best they can with what they have. What a way to go: burning to death in a fire, in a tent. Have a little heart. The homeless isn’t the problem in this town. I pray for him/her and their families. I hope they find peace.
There are more home fires then homeless fires. Why is everyone up in arms. Maybe we should get rid of all homes because they have fires too. Cars have more fires then homlesss tents do.
Last year Fort Monmouth in Monmouth County closed. On that property are homes, group living quarters, food service buildings, offices, recreational facilities, and classroom buildings. The Government could provide for all the needs of the homeless there. Why aren’t our concerned representatives suggesting the use of this facility rather than having photo ops in the woods.
Ocean County has no homeless shelters nor do they make any kind of effort to help the homeless at all. Instead they ship them to other counties and make it someone else’s problem. What ever happened to helping your fellow man? To having compassion for others less fortunate? And don’t start on the tired litany of “they don’t want to help themselves” or “they have drug and alcohol problems and don’t want to give that life up” People who say that obviously have no idea what Tent City is like or the people who live there. A majority are honestly down on their luck, with no where to go and no one to help them. Those that receive any assistance take advantage of it and try to better their station but a majority of them do not qualify or have had their pleas ignored and denied for numerous reasons- and not drug and alcohol abuse. Understandably they are technically trespassing on township land, but where else would you have them go? In the streets of Clifton Ave? It might upset the store owners and shoppers. Your backyard? That will never do. Or an unoccupied piece of township property far from any residential houses where they don’t bother anyone? I invite anyone to tour Tent City and speak with Pastor Steve and meet some of the poor souls who have no choice but to live in the elements- maybe it will give you some perspective on things and make you realize how lucky you truely are.. G-d bless the residents of Tent City and the poor soul who lost their life last night.
We should bring these guys safe ceramic heaters so it doesn’t happen.
we spent over 34,000 on migrants from other places and they didnt want it , oh yes those people did pay not one dime for tax, but than again we fix up an other place for them so they could be pick up for work and all they do is drink out tax money.
all the people who really care why dont you put them on your property ,or your basement ,show us that you really care ,no human should have to deal with such a tragedy
4 tent city in Lakewood .
Un safe.
ill charge them taxxxxxxxxxxxx !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
All these comments and has nothing to do with the acutal homeless camp. this is the camp by the tracks if there are any issues should be directed towards the ones that choose to live outside the box that is set up for them. Ones that don’t follow the rules of the actual camp.
Even if there was a shelter these are those that would more than likely cause a prob at the shelter because the choose to live by there own rule’s
#40 if it was legal would move more than a few to my property would even help them build there own huts. I’m sure my lawn would be perfectly manicured and would have enought vegetables and meat that i wouldn’t have to shop for food most of the year
#43
oops they choose
To Bill Hobday
And all the Israeli that moved from ISRAEL to Lakewood like ME.
I recall the article about a year ago which discussed one of the homeless couples who moved into Tent City from Queens, NY. What makes Lakewood, Ocean County
To loss the work and home ,you can
Move it’s America it’s a free country
You can move from new York, Florida , CA …. It’s in the USA.
What are they going to plug the ceramic heaters in to? WIll you buy them generators too?
I feel its’ heartbreaking that there are so many homeless and sadder that so many people blame the homeless! Every night the temperature drops below freezing I pray for all the homeless people and homeless pets, not just there but everywhere.
Anon welcome to America. I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, your grammar is difficult to understand. The main contention people have with Brigham and his camp is that he himself directed homeless from all over to come to Lakewood. His public and private campaign have been focused on “powers that be” in Lakewood. Any layman can tell who he’s referring to. His continued efforts to stall, delay and subvert continued well intentioned efforts to improve the quality of life of people in his camp, only add to the suspicions of many in this town of his true intent.