Christie Says Working on Seaside Park Economic Loss

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

By Mark E. Ruquet

Gov. Chris Christie says officials won’t know until next week what the economic losses are from the fire that wiped out four blocks of businesses and boardwalk in Seaside Park, N.J., with State insurance officials coming to the scene Saturday. 

At a news conference this morning, Christie says investigators are just getting into the site today to try to determine the cause of the fire. He has directed officials from the state’s Department of Insurance and Banking to come to Seaside Park tomorrow to assist business owners and insurance adjusters with claims and to expedite the process.

Firefighters are still in the process of tamping down hot spots and investigators are just getting into the area, delaying totaling up the economic impact of the damage, said Christie.

The fire started around 2 p.m. yesterday in the Kohr’s Frozen Custard ice cream stand and quickly spread out of control. Firefighters were unable to get the blaze under control until 8 p.m. digging a firebreak through the boardwalk at Lincoln Ave. to prevent the fire from spreading further into neighboring Seaside Heights.

The Ocean County Prosecutors office is leading the investigation, which Christie said is normal. Christie said there is nothing at this time to indicate the fire was arson as the cause remains undetermined. He said officials might call upon the expertise of the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to help determine the fire’s cause. The combination of 30 mph winds and tar roofs are being blamed for the rapid spread of yesterday’s fire that ran from Stockton Ave. to Lincoln Ave. in Seaside Park.   

Superstorm Sandy devastated the area in late October and rebuilding of the boardwalk was completed just before Memorial Day. While shop owners were reporting business was down, many considered just to be in operation for the season a major accomplishment with 95 percent of boardwalk businesses opening their doors for the height of the season in July.

Christie said 30 businesses were lost in the inferno, but cautioned that the figure is a preliminary estimate. Some reports have put the loss closer to 50.

Christie, who has worked hard to revitalize the Jersey shore, even appearing in the Jersey Strong ad campaign, said yesterday, when he learned of the fire he felt like throwing-up. He vowed the boardwalk will be rebuilt.