Damn. That area seems to be snakebit for sure. I'll be in Belmar in 2weeks on a Fluke trip so I'll get to see what happened from offshore. Damn shame for those folks though. First Sandy and now this. Knowing Christie and the good people of Jersey, They'll simply build a bigger and better one in its place.
man good for you cman!!... Its quite a site bud...incredible fire...incredible. I mean the total boardwalk in Seaside Park along with every business is gone..burnt to the ground. They are ripping up the boardwalk a quarter mile to the north just to stop it..they cant stop it with hoses...its not doing a thing. Wondering if the thunderstorms that came through set it off....hopefully its not foul play because this is a disaster. the smoke is being picked up on radar 30 miles to the north and east..thankfully most over water.
now unoffically 6 blocks long. I think the saving grace might be the huge storms less than 4 hours away...but thats 4 hours. With the heavy wind running south to north the fire is racing up the boardwalk...fast pace...they cant stop it.
the gap they are trying to create to stop it was a quarter mile away and now they guy in the grappler is about 300 yards away from the fire...may not make it in time.
I hope you're right about this being naturally caused Jay. Every disaster can't be the fault of some deranged zealot. You gotta wonder though if and when these folks rebuild, how on earth will they get insured. In the long ago days, Insurance companies used to "redline" poor areas and jack up rates or in some cases, no coverage at all.
yep cman...fema covered a lot of the rebuilding...natural disaster...if this was from the thunderstorm....if not....they are screwed.
Its such a bizarre site..seeing the huge fire 50 yards away from the incredible body of water. They are basically tearing away the brand new boardwalk to try to stop it.
huge line of storms 2 hours away. Will help. LINK: http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/pennsylvania/weather-radar?play=1
Months ago cman...and it doesnt mean a thing....the fire is so hot..its so huge...its like drying then burning all in one. Its a disaster.
Winds are blowing at 29MPH and people I know in the area are saying at least 12-15 blocks are burning, arcades, pizza parlors, rides, apparently the old taffy shop, and bars. It started at Kohr's frozen custard and spread ridiculously fast. They are saying part of Funtown Pier has collapsed as well They are also saying it has jumped across Ocean Avenue and now condos and some residences are on fire. Christie is already on his way and will be there in about 15 minutes.
Crazy. Too bad they don't have the rain that we have in northwest Jersey right now. It's pouring up here now. I hope they get it under control.
The fire has jumped the area where they have "cut" out pieces of boardwalk. Three Brothers Pizza an institution in Seaside is engulfed in flames.