Activists fume as fire damages dilapidated New Jersey home where Martin Luther King Jr lived
CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY: A fire broke out on early Saturday, March 11, severely damaging a run-down Camden house where Martin Luther King Jr lived in southern New Jersey. It is now uncertain what will become of the long-abandoned building.
The reports suggest that local activists had planned to save, refurbish, and transform the house into a memorial of the civil rights leader. Shortly after 2.30 am, fire was reported at the three-story row house building, Camden Fire Department Chief Michael Harper told the Courier Post.
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'Precarious structure presented challenges to the firefighters'
Harper said the precarious structure presented challenges to the firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation. "The place was already boarded and heavily fortified when our members got there," Harper said, adding "They had to open the boards, but by that time, the fire was pretty well advanced. They couldn't make an entry because of concerns about the structural integrity."
No injuries were reported to the firemen or the bystanders, according to Harper, who was not immediately informed of the condition of those residing in a house attached to 753 Walnut. Vince Basara, a spokesman for Camden City, according to NJ said, fire crews reported intense flames originating from the rear of the second floor, and later, a portion of the roof collapsed. Four other residents had to leave after the blaze spread to the residence next door, he claimed. There were no reported injuries.
'It's possible that it will be determined to be an unsafe structure'
The fire marshal of the city is looking into what started the incident. After the building is inspected, Basara said it's possible that it will be determined to be an unsafe structure and condemned. The reports said that local activists had been seeking a historic designation and grant money as well as donations to restore the structure they call MLK House Camden for years.
'Money meant for house diverted'
Activists and historians have expressed frustration over the incident. Patrick Duff, a Haddon Heights activist and historian who, as per the Courier has been working to preserve the house since he uncovered its history in 2015, blamed official inaction and alleged that city and state officials diverted money meant for the house to other uses. He also lamented that the fire department was also to blame for the lack of response.
From 1949 to 1951, Martin Luther King Jr and a fellow student from the now-defunct Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania, resided at the house. King had stayed at the home while planning his first sit-in which took place in nearby Maple Shade at Mary’s Café in 1950 as per Duff.
'This piece of historic real estate must be saved for generations yet unborn'
“This piece of historic real estate must be saved for generations yet unborn," the Website dedicated to the MLK Camden house notes its purpose. "It was at this house where King planned his first anti-discrimination lawsuit. Our divine assignment is to restore this historical landmark and create a museum where people can see the place where King slept, ate, prepared his messages and plotted his first anti-discrimination lawsuit."