EDISON – Heavy, wet, fast-falling snow during the storm from March 3-4 is being blamed for a large tree slamming down on a Hillcrest Avenue home during the early morning hours of March 4, collapsing a section of the roof and sending branches through the home’s two interior floors, township officials said.
Edison firefighters, police and emergency medical personnel arrived at 2:47 a.m. on March 4. A 66-year-old woman and her adult son escaped the home unharmed before emergency officials arrived, according to Deputy Fire Chief Andy Toth.
“Apparently a large tree on their property broke under the weight of heavy snow and fell on this house, collapsing a rear section of its roof,” Toth said. “Large limbs punched through the roof, through the second floor, and into its first floor.”
Edison building inspectors have deemed the home unsafe and uninhabitable. Electric and water services were quickly turned off.
The mother and son are staying with relatives in Highland Park until repairs can be made, police Lt. Robert Dudash said.