Massive fire in Seaside Heights

By | September 12, 2013

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. — A fire that reportedly started at the Kohr Brothers custard shop at 1800 Boardwalk on the FunTown Amusement Pier around 2:15 p.m. quickly reached five alarms before jumping to six alarms shortly before 4 p.m. The massive blaze has engulfed a number of buildings and is spreading into neighboring Seaside Heights.

The flames are destroying sections of the pier that had just been replaced following the devastation left by Superstorm Sandy. Heavy winds are fanning the flames making it difficult for firefighters to get the blaze under control. Embers from the fire had blown as far as four blocks away.

Fire crews from Monmouth and Atlantic counties have been called in for assistance and Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd said a section of boardwalk was being removed to create a fire line to keep the blaze from spreading.

Officials in Ocean County are imploring the public to stay away from the scene of the fire as traffic congestion from onlookers is impeding emergency response vehicles from reaching the area.