Casino Pier (Seaside Heights) Discussion Thread

[robbalvey]

So I'm confused about something - is this area Seaside Heights or Seaside Park? Because I've seen both mentioned on news reports and in comments? Or is it that both locations are right next to each other connected by this boardwalk?

 

Here's Seaside Heights, and Seaside Park. They're adjacent boroughs, with Porter Street as the dividing line. Funtown Pier straddles the two municipalities, and Casino Pier is further north, totally in Seaside Heights.

Gotcha. This is what I had suspected. Some people were giving me crap on Facebook and Twitter about it being Seaside "Park" not Seaside "Heights" but from what it looks like to me businesses in both areas were affected and I think more people know the area as "Heights" anyway, thanks to our classy friends from "Jersey Shore!"

[michaellynn4]

^ Yea, aside from a few of the locals, most people around here generally refer to the whole area as Seaside Heights.

 

Here's a comprehensive overhead shot of all the damage:

[Ed Farmer]

What a bummer. We have family in New Jersey that we'd visit just about every summer as I was growing up- Seaside Heights is where we'd usually go from there. Had a chance to stop by over there this past summer, but I passed, thinking that it would be better to give the place time to rebuild before visiting. Real unfortunate for those who have planted their businesses in the area.

 

On the bright side, it's often said that bad things happen in threes- Jersey Shore, Sandy, and now this fire. Hopefully some good times ahead for everyone out there.

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

Just saw this on the Casino Pier Facebook page. Given the circumstances, I was pretty surprised to see it.

 

 

"Our hearts go out to all of our neighbors and fellow business owners in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights during this difficult time. We thank all of the courageous fire fighters and first responders for putting up such a strong fight yesterday and today. Thoughts and prayers from Casino Pier.

 

Please note that our Casino Arcade and Pier Surf Shop IS OPEN today.

The Pier rides, Go Karts, Golf, Pier Grill and Midway Games will be open tomorrow at noon.

 

We hope to see you all then!"

[rock4u1973]

i have been in seaside heights and have worked on the fire department. i have been an active member for at least 3 years. I have worked during hurricane sandy and did not leave during that and i have been working this fire since the beginning and will not leave until the fire is out and no hot spots are left

[robbalvey]

Just saw this on the Casino Pier Facebook page. Given the circumstances, I was pretty surprised to see it.

 

 

"Our hearts go out to all of our neighbors and fellow business owners in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights during this difficult time. We thank all of the courageous fire fighters and first responders for putting up such a strong fight yesterday and today. Thoughts and prayers from Casino Pier.

 

Please note that our Casino Arcade and Pier Surf Shop IS OPEN today.

The Pier rides, Go Karts, Golf, Pier Grill and Midway Games will be open tomorrow at noon.

 

We hope to see you all then!"

I dunno, I kind of think it's important to let people know that Seaside Heights is "open for business" as the area does thrive off tourism dollars. Given the devastation I think those business probably more than ever need as many people to come and spend as much money as possible.

Edited September 13, 2013 by robbalvey

[gisco]

i have been in seaside heights and have worked on the fire department. i have been an active member for at least 3 years. I have worked during hurricane sandy and did not leave during that and i have been working this fire since the beginning and will not leave until the fire is out and no hot spots are left

 

Why are you posting from Lewistown Pennsylvania when you say you are in New Jersey working?

[michaellynn4]

^

[STR8FXXXINEDGE]

Just saw this on the Casino Pier Facebook page. Given the circumstances, I was pretty surprised to see it.

 

 

"Our hearts go out to all of our neighbors and fellow business owners in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights during this difficult time. We thank all of the courageous fire fighters and first responders for putting up such a strong fight yesterday and today. Thoughts and prayers from Casino Pier.

 

Please note that our Casino Arcade and Pier Surf Shop IS OPEN today.

The Pier rides, Go Karts, Golf, Pier Grill and Midway Games will be open tomorrow at noon.

 

We hope to see you all then!"

I dunno, I kind of think it's important to let people know that Seaside Heights is "open for business" as the area does thrive off tourism dollars. Given the devastation I think those business probably more than ever need as many people to come and spend as much money as possible.

Oh, I completely agree! What I was really trying to say is, that I am surprised to see that they are able to be open. I kind of expected them to be out of commission for a while.

[robbalvey]

^ Ahh, ok! I actually realized that might have been what you meant after I wrote what I did. Yeah, I'm actually happy to see some life to the boardwalk is still there!

[Chroniq]

Here's a quick photoshop to illustrate visually what this community has been through.

 

 

-con

[VinTheAttendant]

Was the Funtown Pier Ferris Wheel destroyed in the fire? Or was it removed some time between Sandy and the fire?

 

Edit: After looking at the photo Chroniq posted, I'm going to guess the latter since there's no debris in its former spot. Still a horrific sight, and I'm glad nobody was seriously hurt.

[ScottBrown]

They pulled the wheel down with cables a while back

[sspaz1000]

http://6abc.cm/17ZEu0B

 

WPVI has a photo slide show with some more photos taken today.

[DJeXeL]

Thanks for the link. Sad to see indeed.

[larrygator]

As the sun comes up we've seen some crazy pictures. Don't have time to post now (have to get KT to school) but here's one that really shows the extent of the damage.

 

Elissa, I think that building in the upper right hand corner of the picture you posted was the pizza place you liked.

[gisco]

Do places like this have any sort of fire sprinklers or was the fire just so over whelming it doesn't matter?

[sspaz1000]

^They haven't said, but I think with the winds being so strong yesterday it didn't much matter.

[lazz717]

Fire suppression systems really wouldn't help in this type of situation. I'm not sure how many, if any, buildings had them, but the fire was coming from both the bottom of the boardwalk and through the roof. The tar on many of the roofs also was more fuel for the fire. It just is a devastating situation.

 

Side note: Can a mod change the topic name? The fire actually was both in Seaside Park (originated) then spread to Seaside Heights. I'm sure some people on here will think Casino Pier got damaged as that is the main attraction in Seaside Heights.

 

Edit: Courtesy of the Asbury Park Press (APP.com) Here is a list of the 35 Businesses that were destroyed by the fire in Seaside Heights. They are still waiting for the list from the borough of Seaside Park.

The businesses are:

 

• Berkeley Sweet Shop, 2E Boardwalk, Sale of candy

• Gee Enterprises, 2A Boardwalk, jewelry/adornment

• Ritas Italian Ice, 4 Boardwalk, sale of Italian ice

• Gee Enterprises, 4E Boardwalk, jewelry/adornment

• Quick Stop, 6 Boardwalk, convenience store

• Nisha’s Accessories, 8 Boardwalk, jewelry store

• Prince Eyebrows, 8 Boardwalk, beauty parlor

• Lily’s Apparel, 10 Boardwalk, department store

• Belle Freeman P, 12 Boardwalk, merry-go-round

• Maruca’s Tomato Pies, 21 Boardwalk, sale of pizza

• Seaside Steak House, 21 W Boardwalk, sale of pizza, etc

• Dippin Dots, 28 Boardwalk, sale of ice cream

• Berkeley Sweet Shop, 42 Boardwalk, sale of candy

• Off the Hook, 113 Boardwalk, body piercing

• Shoot the Geek, 115 Boardwalk, paintball game

• Cynthia Kaslov, 115 Boardwalk, readings

• Big Hearted John’s, 119 Boardwalk, department store

• Anne-Marie Conroy, 18 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Anne-Marie Conroy, 20 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Edward Dooner, 4 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Edward Dooner, 9 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Eric Faranda, 115 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Eric Faranda, 115B Boardwalk, game of chance

• Helen Stewart, 1 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Helen Stewart, 7 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Jason Villano, 17B Boardwalk, game of chance

• Jason Villano, 17 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Mark Dorsey, 8 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Paul Schneider, 10 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Paul Schneider, 13 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Union Jacks, 2 Boardwalk, game of chance

• Jack-N-Bills, 1 Boardwalk, bar/restaurant

• Beachcomber, 100-103 Boardwalk, bar/restaurant

• Carousel Arcade, 22-24 Boardwalk, arcade

• The Game Room, 9-11 Boardwalk, arcade

[robbalvey]

Side note: Can a mod change the topic name? The fire actually was both in Seaside Park (originated) then spread to Seaside Heights. I

No. I'm seriously f**king sick of people telling me this. People that are not from the area have no f**king clue what "Seaside Park" is. They know the area as Seaside Heights. That's like me telling people I live in Dr. Phillips. Do you know what that is? No. Of course you don't. But you're heard of Orlando, right?

 

We have busted our ass bringing you all as up-to-date coverage on this as possible and you're giving us crap over a name? When the fire ACTUALLY WAS IN SEASIDE HEIGHTS!!! I could understand your petty argument if the fire never touched Seaside Heights, but as you just said yourself, 35 businesses were destroyed. Why don't you focus on how to help those people out instead of bitching at us over the title of our thread?

 

The title will remain Seaside Heights and if you don't like it, don't read our forums.

 

Thank you.

 

--Robb "Sick of people bitching over this. Deal with it or go away." Alvey

Edited September 14, 2013 by robbalvey

[michaellynn4]

A friend of mine from college, James Queally, writes for the Star Ledger. He and a co-worker just wrote a piece documenting some of the heroic efforts that were taken to stop the fire.

 

/2013/09/last_stand_at_lincoln_avenue_becomes_decisive_moment_in_boardwalk_blaze.html[/url]

 

By James Queally and Mike Frassinelli/ The Star-Ledger

 

They carved a line in the sand.

 

Firefighters stood on one side of the trench, hoses drawn.

 

On the other side was a raging inferno, spurred by 30 mph winds and flaming tar roofs, chugging up the boardwalk in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights.

 

Separating the two sides was a 25-foot stretch of sand between sections of boardwalk.

It was just after 4 p.m. Thursday and the Last Stand at Lincoln Avenue was about to begin.

 

The decision was made to use an excavator to tear up part of the boardwalk and dig a trench to stem the advance of the fire that had already ravaged four blocks of shops, stores and arcades.

 

“It was the decisive moment,” Gov. Chris Christie said. “That’s where we decided to put all our resources and make our stand. If it had gotten by us on Lincoln Avenue, there’s no telling where it would have stopped.”

 

About 11 p.m. Thursday, firefighters brought the boardwalk blaze under control at Lincoln, preventing the fire from advancing deep into Seaside Heights.

 

“That’s the ingenuity and the bravery of the firefighters,” Christie said yesterday. “And let me tell you, they took a beating there physically, fighting that fire back at Lincoln Avenue. But they held it off and they deserve great credit for that.”

 

So does a contractor with a large excavator who happened to be working in nearby Lavallette.

 

Tom Hardell, president and chief operating officer for George Harms Construction Company Inc. of Howell, was working on the project to rebuild Route 35, which was damaged during the last big disaster to strike the area — Hurricane Sandy 11 months ago.

 

A police officer he knows from Lavallette told Hardell Thursday afternoon, not long after the fire started, that plenty of emergency vehicles would be pulling through.

“The boardwalk is on fire,” the officer told a stunned Hardell.

 

Hardell told the officer that with the boardwalk burning and the wind blowing, the only way to keep the fire from overwhelming everything would be to take out a section of the boardwalk.

 

He offered his excavator.

 

The next thing he knew, he was leading the big digger as it lumbered down the beach.

Shortly after 4 p.m., the excavator started ripping a hole in the Seaside Heights boardwalk, which had only recently been replaced after Sandy.

 

The flames were not even 100 feet away.

 

“There was not that much time to spare,” Hardell said, “We were working under the fire hoses, they were squirting over top of us.”

 

Two earlier attempts by firefighters and contractors to dig trenches in the boardwalk failed, because the equipment was either too small or the fire jumped the boards.

The third try was successful.

 

“Every single person there, every single fireman, had the same goal: Stop the fire, work together,” Hardell said. “The firefighters are the heroes. We were just there to help them.”

 

The fire started just after 2 p.m. in the area of Kohr’s Frozen Custard in Seaside Park and quickly spread, as the high winds launched embers “the size of baseballs” eight or 10 blocks away, setting small fires on patios off the shoreline, Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd said.

 

“I knew there was a recipe for disaster as soon as I got there,” he said.

 

Aware the combination of the winds, embers and petroleum-lined roofs would make the already out of control fire even worse, Boyd sent his own officers and Toms River police onto roofs with fire extinguishers to douse minor fires.

 

But it was only 30 minutes into the incident when Boyd knew he needed help.

A lot of it, and fast.

 

“We said, ‘Bring everybody,’ ” he said.

 

The new Seaside Heights boardwalk also played a role in stopping the flames. The wood is reinforced, Boyd said, strong enough to hold up the weight of fire trucks that dumped gallons of water onto the inferno.

 

Still, the fire kept pushing north. The first attempted trench was made at Stockton Avenue in Seaside Park.

 

But the fire proved elusive, traveling up the inland side of the boardwalk before igniting the wood.

 

So a second trench was dug three blocks north at Dupont Avenue, near where Seaside Park and Seaside Heights meet.

 

But the flames jumped over rescue crews as wind gusts launched embers onto roofs along the boardwalk.

 

It wasn’t until the equipment from George Harms Construction was brought into the battle that the fire began to subside.

 

Between 8 and 9 p.m., progress was being made against the blaze, and by 11 p.m., the fire was under control, Christie said.

 

Firefighters, more than 400 in all, arrived from as far north as Union County and as far south as Cape May County.

 

Union County sent an advanced water delivery system that drew lines from the Barnegat Bay at 5,000 to 6,000 gallons per minute.

 

“On behalf of the people of New Jersey, I say thank you,” Christie said. “(Thursday), we saw what it means to be from our state. We are tough and we stand together in a crisis.”

Though the local water supply was still compromised from damage by Hurricane Sandy, Christie said a significant amount of water was available to fight the fire.

 

“But we also had a fire that was being fed by 30 mph winds out of the south, so the folks here on the ground appropriately made the decision to use every resource we had,” the governor said. “We were drawing water out of swimming pools at motels as well, because the only way to fight this is to drench it with water. We did what was necessary to do, and it worked.”

[lazz717]

Side note: Can a mod change the topic name? The fire actually was both in Seaside Park (originated) then spread to Seaside Heights. I

No. I'm seriously f**king sick of people telling me this. People that are not from the area have no f**king clue what "Seaside Park" is. They know the area as Seaside Heights. That's like me telling people I live in Dr. Phillips. Do you know what that is? No. Of course you don't. But you're heard of Orlando, right?

 

We have busted our A$$ bringing you all as up-to-date coverage on this as possible and you're giving us crap over a name? When the fire ACTUALLY WAS IN SEASIDE HEIGHTS!!! I could understand your petty argument if the fire never touched Seaside Heights, but as you just said yourself, 35 businesses were destroyed. Why don't you focus on how to help those people out instead of bitching at us over the title of our thread?

 

The title will remain Seaside Heights and if you don't like it, don't read our forums.

 

Thank you.

 

--Robb "Sick of people bitching over this. Deal with it or go away." Alvey

 

Wasn't really bitching about it. Was actually just seeing if you could add the "park" to it. You have a valid point that locals really only know the difference; I wasn't thinking about people who read the forums that aren't from the area and know the whole boardwalk as Seaside Heights. Please don't take it personal. Definitely was not trying to piss you off. Sorry if it came out that way.

 

Anyway, anybody find it really amazing that The Sawmill is still standing? The fire literally started within feet of the establishment and it appears that they only suffered minor damage.

[larrygator]

Anyway, anybody find it really amazing that The Sawmill is still standing? The fire literally started within feet of the establishment and it appears that they only suffered minor damage.

 

Yes, I find this amazing and confusing. I thought everything south of Lincoln Avenue was destroyed. I thought I even saw pictures of it on fire at one point.

[cmullin]

It's amazing that the fire didn't spread to the houses next door. Have they determined the cause of the fire?

[lazz717]

Yes, I find this amazing and confusing. I thought everything south of Lincoln Avenue was destroyed. I thought I even saw pictures of it on fire at one point.

 

I thought so to! Maybe because the winds pushed the flames and embers in such a fashion that they just got really really lucky? Still, the fact that they are directly next to Kohrs and didn't get destroyed is a miracle. You see all the destruction from the aerial views and there is Sawmill still standing, looking like it was just built, hardly touched.

 

And no, they have not determined the cause of the fire yet. Some news agencies think arson, some think accidental, who really knows at this point in time. All that matters is nobody suffered serious injuries from the fire and that the main focus now is to once again, Restore the Shore.