Fresh start: MPAC buys tragic site in Morristown

Backhoe makes short work of house at 15 Pine, scene of fatal fire one year earlier.
Backhoe makes short work of house at 15 Pine, scene of fatal fire one year earlier.
3
Backhoe makes short work of house at 15 Pine, scene of fatal fire one year earlier.
Backhoe makes short work of house at 15 Pine, one year after July 2015 fatal fire.

By Kevin Coughlin

The Mayo Performing Arts Center has bought a Pine Street apartment house where a tenant died in a fire one year ago.

A new electronic marquee flashed to life Friday at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
The Mayo Performing Arts Center hopes to erect a structure for educational programs at 15 Pine St. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Demolition crews knocked down the charred structure at 15 Pine St. earlier this month.

“When an opportunity became available to purchase land near our building, we acquired it,” said Ed Kirchdoerffer, general manager for the performing arts center in Morristown.

“We are currently formulating a long-term vision for the Theatre and potential uses of this land to expand our education programs that benefit the public. We have not determined the final use of this parcel of land,” he said.

On the night of July 13-14, 2015, flames raced up from the front porch. Smoke filled the upstairs attic apartment. One tenant escaped with his dog onto a narrow roof outside his bedroom window.

Kelly Marie Smith, a 31-year-old employee of a Morristown salon, did not make it out.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and the case is closed, said Paul Merkler, a spokesman for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. There was no indication of criminality, he said.

Details of MPAC’s purchase from owner Ralph Catizone have not yet been made public. Kirchdoerffer said he was not authorized to disclose the purchase amount “until all legalities have been finalized.”

MORE ABOUT THE PINE STREET FIRE

 

Charred house at 15 Pine St. in early July 2016, one year after fatal blaze. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Charred house at 15 Pine St. in early July 2016, one year after fatal blaze. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Demolition of fire-damaged house at 15 Pine St.
Demolition of fire-damaged house at 15 Pine St.
Vacant lot at 15 Pine St., scene of fatal house fire in 2015.  The Mayo Performing Arts Center has bought the property. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Now-vacant lot at 15 Pine St., scene of fatal house fire in 2015. The Mayo Performing Arts Center has bought the property and is contemplating educational programs there. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

3 COMMENTS

  1. Buying property doesn’t actually make it your prerogative to make it whatever you want. Just sayin’.

  2. And why shouldn’t they make it parking? They paid for the property, so it’s their perogative to make it anything they wish.

LEAVE A REPLY