The Hamilton community is teaming up to organize a collection drive to help the surviving victims of yesterday’s home collapse tragedy.
A home collapsed yesterday on South Broad Street in Hamilton. Tika Justice, 38, was killed in the incident, but her two daughters were rescued from the rubble. The daughters, ages 16 and 20, were injured and taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. Authorities said they were in serious, but stable condition.
Engineers believe long term water penetration of concrete block caused the collapse. Ewing-based engineering company Leonard Busch Associates PC conducted an independent investigation.
“In conclusion and with a reasonable degree of engineering certainty, we believe the proximate cause of the catastrophic collapse of 1804 South Broad Street was from the failure of deteriorated concrete block due to long term water penetration,” the company wrote in their report.
To assist the family, Saint Phillips Baptist Church and John O. Wilson Neighborhood Service Center are hosting a collection drive. The two sisters are in need of basic items, such as clothing.
Beginning Thursday, July 26 and continuing through Saturday, August 4, residents will be able to bring clothing donations to either St. Phillips Baptist Church — located at 445 Parkinson Avenue, Hamilton — and John O. Wilson Neighborhood Service Center — located at 169 Wilfred Avenue, Hamilton. The collection schedule will take place as follows:
Monday – Friday collections
John O. Wilson Neighborhood Service Center: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Phillips Baptist Church: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday collections
St. Phillips Baptist Church: 10 a.m. to noon.
Requested clothing sizes include women’s shows in sizes 10 and 11), clothes, outfits and undergarments in sizes large to XX-large. Gift card donations will also be accepted.
For questions regarding additional item donations, contact either the John O. Wilson Neighborhood Service Center at 609-393-6480 or St. Phillips Baptist Church at 609-394-3887.
In addition to the collection drives, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.
This story has been updated to include information from Leonard Busch Associates PC about the cause of the collapse.
