On September 12 around 2:30 pm, a 10-alarm fire struck the south end of the Seaside Park boardwalk. The fire started in Kohr’s Custard stand, and quickly spread north into Seaside Heights, destroying more than 30 buildings over a 6-block span, and the new boardwalk wood that had been built just days before Memorial Day weekend. Seaside Park had more than 400 fire fighters battling the flames along with 29 different fire companies from Ocean County. After water had been pumped from Barnegat Bay, the fire was under control by around 11 pm. The cause of the fire was deemed accidental as it started from the electrical wiring under the boardwalk. Governor Christie, who was at the scene around 5, is promising $15 million for the recovery of the boardwalk.

“When I saw the fire at Seaside, I was speechless. Not even a year after Sandy destroyed Seaside, the fire destroyed what we had rebuilt and more. How much can New Jersey go through?!” -Anthony Pares (junior)

 
“People will always remember the destruction done by Sandy and now the fire, but hopefully we can rebuild yet again.” -Ally O’Hara (senior)

 
“The government should give more money to rebuild because it’s really important to all the people that live down and to anyone who visits Seaside a lot.” -Sarah Spitzer (freshman)

 
“I was in absolute shock and terror when I saw the news of the fire at Seaside.” -Patrick Henkels (sophmore)