Sandy-Damaged Firehouse in Jersey Shore Town Evacuated, Deemed Unstable

The only firehouse in the Jersey Shore town of Sea Bright has been condemned because it is cracked and unstable from the beating it took during Sandy, NBC 4 New York has learned.

The firehouse was condemned by FEMA right after the October 2012 storm, but a second inspection reversed that decision. 

Now a third inspection has led officials to declare it unstable.

"It's gotten worse over the past 16 months," said Read Murphy, town councilman and emergency management director. "Right now we're looking for homes for our fire trucks until we get the temporary firehouse up."

Murphy said it would take two to three weeks to set up vinyl tents to serve as a temporary firehouse. In the meantime, the town will rely on nearby fire departments for help.

Some Sea Bright residents said they understand the need to relocate the fire department.

"As long as the trucks are relatively close to town and the mutual aid from the other towns can come if need be, I'm OK with it," said Chris Wood.

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