The Ocean City Fire Department responded to Boardwalk block 1000 around 7:40 am on Saturday.
Arriving fire crews found flames moving rapidly through a building structure that includes Playland’s Castaway Cove arcade and offices, the Hamburger Construction Company restaurant and the Dairy Queen.
A three-block perimeter was established by emergency officials to fight the fire. Action Cam showed the firefighters fighting the flames.
The viewer’s video captured heavy flames and black smoke rising up the boardwalk. The Ferris wheel at Castaway Cove in Playland disappeared as the smoke rose. Firefighters could be heard shouting at passers-by: “Guys, you have to stay behind!”
Authorities said the fire was under control late Saturday morning, but firefighters remained on the scene working to fully extinguish the fire.
Officials said the west wind fueled the fire, but it probably spared neighboring buildings. The necessary structural firewalls between properties also worked effectively, they said.
No one was in the building at the time, and there were no reported fire-related injuries. Authorities said respondents will be assessed for injuries related to extreme cold.
The building suffered major damage. Authorities said there appeared to be no structural damage to the boardwalk at the moment.
Helicopter 6 flew over the scene at about 11 am, assessing the damage caused by the fire.
Castaway Cove posted a message on his Facebook page confirming that the amusement park was damaged. Officials told guests they will rebuild and, for now, use a secondary entrance:
“To our family and loyal guests, we thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We would like to thank all the first respondents for their hard work and pray for their continued safety during today’s events. We strive to understand this. morning events and what will be in the coming months, but we can assure you, WE’ll REBUILD !! We have a secondary entrance that will now be our main entrance for the foreseeable future. We’ll be open sooner or later! For now, hug your loved ones dear ones, pray for the first respondents and know that we will be back in the spring of 2021! “
People were advised to avoid the area, as the response continued into the afternoon. Full access to the boardwalk will be restored as conditions permit, officials said.
Neighboring agencies, including Marmora Volunteer Fire Department, Longport Volunteer Fire Department, Margate Fire Department, Somers Point Fire Company, Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company, Seaville Volunteer Fire Company and Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company provided assistance, along with police units from Sea Isle City, Egg Harbor Township, Longport, Linwood and Northfield, rescue squads from AtlantiCare and Upper Township and the Cape May County Regional Urban Search Team (RUST).
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and remains under investigation.
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