A historic New Jersey hotel that’s a popular spot for families to gather for dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day has been destroyed by a fire.
Fire officials say the fire broke out early Thursday morning at The Merion Inn in Cape May. Fire Chief Jerry Inderwies Jr. says the building is uninhabitable.
A member of the family that owns the inn was airlifted to a Philadelphia hospital with burns and smoke inhalation. Family members say he’s expected to recover.
An official cause has not been determined but Inderwies says the fire appears to have been accidental.
The Merion Inn was built in 1885.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
10 Jurors Said Palisades Fire Suspect Isn’t Guilty. Now He Faces October Retrial.
AI’s Impact: Tech and Finance Sectors Losing 28,000 Jobs Monthly
NYC Crews Stabilize Midtown High-Rise, Reopen Nearby Streets
FBI Probes Whether Alarum Unit Is Behind Co-Opted Home Devices