FOXNews.com: Fire destroys Sandy-hit NJ boardwalk

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Fire destroys Sandy-hit NJ boardwalk Sep 13th 2013, 00:12 A raging fire that apparently started in a custard shop spread rapidly Thursday through several blocks of a a New Jersey shore boardwalk that was just repaired after sustaining heavy damage in Superstorm Sandy. Flames and thick black smoke billowed from a long stretch of the boardwalk in Seaside Park, collapsing buildings as the fire quickly spread north into neighboring Seaside Heights, where the MTV reality series "Jersey Shore" was filmed. MyFoxPhilly.com reported that the fire started at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET. As it continued to rage three hours after it started, authorities said several firefighters and residents were being treated for smoke inhalation. There were no other early reports of any injuries. "It's raging," said real estate agent Michael Loundy, who works on tourism-related projects with the borough of Seaside Heights as he watched fire companies battle the flames. "It is absolutely raging. The wind is blowing something fierce, making it very difficult for firefighters to fight." The flames swept through new boardwalk wood that had just been put in place days before Memorial Day weekend as the shore towns raced to recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy. Much of the Seaside Heights boardwalk was destroyed then, and a roller coaster that plunged off a damaged amusement pier became a defining image of the storm. "This is another tremendous wrench in the recovery," Seaside Park Mayor Robert Matthies said. "Pictures and video of the fire are startling and sad given what Seaside Park and neighboring Seaside Heights have endured with Superstorm Sandy," New Jersey governor Chris Christie's press office said in a statement. "Our concerns and prayers are also with firefighters and first responders at the scene battling the blaze." 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. He said the fire created embers the size of a fist. The fire is believed to have started in a Kohr's custard shop. Click for more at MyFoxPhilly.com The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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