By: Michael Mandarino, Follow South Jersey Managing Editor
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — A four-alarm fire burned at the Castaway Cove on the boardwalk of Ocean City on Saturday morning.
No one was injured or inside the building during the fire, which crews responded to at approximately 7:40 a.m. on Saturday. However, the fire did cause “extensive damage” to the building that houses the boardwalk’s arcade and offices, according to a press release. Fire crews managed to control the fire by late Saturday morning, but they stayed in the area to put out remaining flames.
“There does not appear to be structural damage to the boardwalk, but this will be subject to further inspection. Full access to this block of the boardwalk will be restored only as conditions allow, and people are encouraged to avoid this area until the response is over,” Ocean City said in a press release.
At this time, the cause of the fire is unknown.
According to the Atlantic City Press, Playland vice president Brian Hartley recently tested positive for COVID-19, so he couldn’t go to the building after he received a phone call from its smoke alarm company at around 7:50 a.m. However, his second-hand assessment of the building’s damage is grim.
“Unfortunately, from what I’ve seen from videos that people have sent me, the building’s at a total loss,” Hartley told the Atlantic City Press.
Fire crews from seven different departments — Sea Isle City, Egg Harbor Township, Longport, Linwood and Northfield, — helped extinguish the fire. Additionally, rescue squads from AtlantiCare and Upper Township, and the Cape May County Regional Urban Search Team (RUST) were on the scene to provide support as needed.
This story will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
- What’s Good In South Jersey? STEAMWorks To The Rescue – With Isaiah Showell
- Despite Setbacks, Local Muslim Community Gets Closer To New Mosque
- What’s Good In South Jersey? The Unexpected Challenge – With Isaiah Showell
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
