FIRE: JERSEY SHORE

Submitted by ub on

A fast-moving fire yesterday afternoon raised many questions after it started in a custard shop and raged through blocks of boardwalk and businesses along Seaside Park, a New Jersey beach town which was still rebuilding from Super-storm Sandy.

Thankfully, a late-night rainstorm brought relief to hundreds of firefighters attemting to contain the wind-driven flames. Part of the boardwalk was torn up and a 20-foot trench dug to keep flames from spreading through the close-packed buildings.

Firefighters using a 50-foot extension ladder poured a stream of water into a blazing pizza restaurant as flashers and spotlights from dozens of fire trucks lit up the pillar of smoke rising from the town.

NJ Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency and said that about 20 businesses had been affected. The cause of the fire is still unknown, with some minor injuries, according to the state's leader.

Photo: REUTERS