The Seaside Park and Seaside Heights boardwalk area in New Jersey caught on raging blaze during on the afternoon hours of Sept. 12, Thursday, after recovering from the severe damage brought upon by fall's Superstorm Sandy, Examiner reported Thursday.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called the raging fire an "unthinkable situation" while many firefighters continue to battle it out against the high flames and heavy black smoke in Seaside Park.
Christie noted that 35 engine companies, 15 ladders, 400 firefighters remain on the scene where about 20 businesses have already been consumed and damaged over six blocks as of late.
Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd said earlier that the blaze began just before noon at Kohr's Ice Cream near the boardwalk, and it quickly crept through adjacent structures after being swept up by the strong southeast wind around 2:30 p.m.
USA Today reported that "the fire spread to other boardwalk businesses, including FunTown Pier, has now reached Seaside Heights."
Several firefighters got minor injuries out of the blaze including heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation, CNN reported, adding that the fire was still burning along Ocean Terrace Avenue between Stockton Avenue and Lincoln Avenue Thursday evening.
While the damage of the fire has been identified, the cause is yet to be determined, Christie added.
Officials said that in order for firefighters to prevent the fire from spreading, they are also hosing down nearby boardwalk structures and buildings.
"As it continues to burn the boardwalk and out buildings, it is very, very hard to stop. There is so much wood structure up there," Seaside Heights Borough Administrator John Camera said. "Right now we can't say much other than they are doing their best to contain an out-of-control fire."
At 4:30 p.m. firefighters were reportedly ordered to pull back because of the high intensity of the fire since strong winds in the area continue to fan it up.
Fire personnel had dug a 20-foot trench on Lincoln Avenue and "that's where firefighters are making their stand right now," Christie said, adding, "Brisk winds are spreading the fire."
The boardwalk of Seaside Heights reportedly suffered from Superstorm Sandy, where its famous Jet Star roller coaster was apparently torn into the water. The coaster was then removed in May while the boardwalk reopened for business shortly.
Meanwhile, the FunTown Pier was also damaged by Sandy, but was reopened this summer after its recovery.
Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers said that rebuilding the boardwalk cost $8 million and that the total cost of the repairs for the Seaside Heights damaged by Superstorm Sandy was $16 million.
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