ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Jersey shore fire blamed on... yes, electrical.

NY Times article

Seems the wiring in question got submerged in (ocean? salt?) water from Hurricane Sandy. Something about that hurricane piling up lots of sand around the wiring, making inspection difficult.

Basically, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, along with Federal ATF, State Fire Marshal, etc. came to this conclusion:

Criminal activity ruled out, careless smoking ruled out.

Probable cause was electrical; an 'arc' in 1970 vintage wiring apparently under the boardwalk, and not possible to have been inspected after the storm last year.

Although not said in the articles I have read, it sounds like feeders that were 'under the boards, and in sand. No mention of any raceways made.

As I know the area, last Thursday evening I had a gut feeling that electrical would be the prime cause, along with the 30+ MPH wind out of the south.

The area where it started was not new boardwalk, but original (old) boards, as the storm wrath destroyed the pier that was at that area. (Funtown Pier) The buildings were 'vintage',(being kind) and received 'some work' related to the storm damage.

An example of not following the NEMA Flood Damage guidelines??

Man I feel bad for you guys down there in NJ. That was a big fire that ruined a favorite spot.

An example of not following the NEMA Flood Damage guidelines??

Probably so...

But, "We're Jersey Strong", and "Stronger than the storm"

Thank you for the thoughts.

As it is, the fire area was five blocks of the boardwalk; there is still at least 15- blocks, and the Casino Pier left.

In that environment there may have originally been a raceway, even GRC but after a number of years that would just be a rusty memory.

I have some pictures somewhere of fragments of boxes and raceways at the beach that are being held together by the wires.
Scuff that up with wave action and a little sand, you get sparks and fire.

I have other questions.
Did anyone notice electrical problems, blown fuses etc? Were the right sized fuses put back?

Greg:
The section where the fire originated was old, boardwalk, and the structures. The eastern area was destroyed from Sandy, demo'd and all debris removed, with no re-construction in progress. (Funtown Pier)

There is a lot of discussion on the talk radio stations, and in the print press about this, and where is the 'blame'.

I have not heard of any electrical issues prior, a lot of comments leaning to "did they hurry up to be ready for the summer tourist season".

I'm sure there will be more to come, debates, comments, etc.

Todays news comments:
Local municipal office has not responded to any media requests for comments on any 'code enforcement' related to the area of the fire origin point. Hmmmm....