Time around 2:30 p.m. EDT Cause Accidental
Electrical | Date September 12, 2013 Non-fatal injuries 3 (indirectly) | |
Location Seaside Heights and Seaside Park, New Jersey, U.S. | ||
A large fire occurred on September 12, 2013, on the boardwalks, and at the Funtown Pier, of Seaside Heights and Seaside Park, New Jersey, on the Jersey Shore destroying more than 50 businesses.
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Fire
The fire started around 2:18 p.m. EDT, near Kohr's Frozen Custard shop on the boardwalk. It spread to other businesses, including those recently rebuilt in the year since Hurricane Sandy, destroying more than 50 businesses on Seaside Park's end of the boardwalk, including the Funtown Pier amusement park, which resided on the border of Seaside Park and Seaside Heights. 400 firefighters from multiple fire companies converged on the six-alarm fire, and though wind created a challenge for firefighters and there were explosions in the buildings, it was brought under control by 7:45 p.m. People in towns as far north as Long Branch could smell the smoke.
Investigation and cause
On September 17, 2013, authorities said the fire was accidental and linked it to electrical wiring under the boardwalk and subfloor, and equipment they say was compromised by Hurricane Sandy's floodwaters. Investigators said the fire originated under a building that housed a candy store and an ice cream stand.
Demolition and cleanup
Seaside Park and Seaside Heights officials agreed in October 2013 to hire Eagle Paving Corp. to demolish and clean up the areas affected by the fire. The towns will pay around $4.7 million to have the work done, which will begin in October 2013 and take up to 60 days to complete.
Re-building
The boardwalk was re-opened for the summer 2014 season. As of July 2016, plans were scrapped for rebuilding of Funtown Pier due to concerns from citizens over and the planning board refusing to allow structures over 100' tall to be built.