Community Corner

Lake Hopatcong, Oak Ridge Mail May Be Lost in Truck Fire

State agency working to help residents whose mail never made it to government offices.

The state Department of Treasury has announced it is working to assist residents in Morris County towns who had mail sent to government offices between Sept. 7 and Sept. 10 burned in a truck fire last month.

"We're making arrangements to try to help out people whose mail was destroyed in this unfortunate fire," Bill Quinn, spokesman for the state Department of Treasury, said. "If people had payments that were due, we're extending the deadline on that until at least Oct. 15."

Affected zip codes begin with 070 to 076, 078, 079, 088 and 089. 

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That makes it possible that people living in Lake Hopatcong (07849) and Oak Ridge (07438) may have mail that was destroyed.

The box truck burst into flames after colliding with a larger truck on the New Jersey Turnpike between exits 8 and 8A near Hightstown on Sept. 11, according to a release by the DOT.

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The U.S. Postal Service now says the blaze and resulting firefighting efforts destroyed nearly every piece of mail on board.

The truck was carrying one day’s worth of mail to a variety of locations in central New Jersey, including letters and packages bound for some state government offices in Trenton and the surrounding area, the DOT said.

The DOT release said Gov. Chris Christie has ordered state commissioners and agency heads to provide all necessary aid and, where appropriate, flexibility in the application of rules and regulations to those who may have had letters or packages on the truck bound for government offices. Also at Christie's order, all agencies will post information on their websites explaining how affected citizens can obtain assistance with issues resulting from the destruction of this mail. 

Local residents can find an agency’s website by going to the governor’s website and clicking on the link at the top that says “Departments/Agencies,” and then click on the appropriate agency’s link. Residents can also call the Governor’s Constituent Relations Office at 609-777‐2500.


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