Fire Damages Historic Cape May Inn
CAPE MAY, N.J. (CBS) -- A historic and well-known Jersey shore landmark was seriously damaged by a fast-moving fire early Thursday morning.
George Mesterhazy was asleep when he was awakened by the fire, "I couldn't even go back in and get the dogs, I mean, it was a wall of smoke."
The wall of smoke and heavy fire left the apartments above the Merion Inn charred and these tables, chairs and other belongings in the bedrooms destroyed.
"We waited on the roof, we went around to the side of the house and even grabbed the window and tore out the air conditioner and threw it right down hoping to get the dogs to jump out that way," Mesterhazy added.
Fortunately, firefighters arrived within minutes and rescued Mesterhazy and his girlfriend, the restaurant owner. The pets also survived but firefighters knew another person was still trapped inside a second floor bedroom where the fire is believed to have started.
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"The victim was pulled out of the second floor window to a waiting ladder truck then to an ambulance. He was then flown to Temple Hospital with burns and smoke inhalation," Cape May Fire Chief Jerry Inderwies explained.
The victim was later identified as 53-year-old Erik Watson, the owner's brother. The Watson family took over the oldest bar in Cape May in 1970. The Merion Inn has been serving this community since 1885.
Glenn Mcbrearty, Watson's brother-in-law, said, "Next weekend's the last weekend til they close until Easter so we're trying to get things moving so we can have New Year's here."
Christmas here won't happen. A huge blow considering the entire weekend was booked. A family tradition for many now interrupted but seeing that the main part of the restaurant was spared and lives saved, they know things could have been worse.
Mcbrearty said, "Right now, we're just happy that everybody's going to be ok and that's all we can think of right now."
Mesterhazy added, "And the rest of it really isn't that important. Still not a bad Christmas and we'll rebuild."
As for the cause of the fire, authorities say it remains under investigation but at this point, it appears to have started accidentally.
Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
