A fire broke out on Thursday night, causing damage to a section of the Atlantic City, New Jersey boardwalk and tragically claiming the life of a man. Identified as 67-year-old Bruce Eder, the victim resided in the city.
The fire was reported around 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, with heavy flames seen at the rear of the Central Pier near Tennessee Avenue. It quickly spread to several nearby structures, including an arcade, a speedway, a pizza shop, and a convenience store.
Investigators believe the fire started under the boardwalk, where they found a small homeless encampment. A small campfire was also discovered in Eder’s area, where he appeared to be sleeping. The official cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Meanwhile, businesses affected by the fire face a challenging road to recovery. Raul Coreas, manager of the arcade inside Central Pier, expressed concerns about potentially missing out on the busiest season of the year while dealing with water and fire damage.
Insurance adjusters were assessing the damage, but the reopening timeline remained uncertain.
Coreas mentioned ongoing issues with homeless individuals seeking shelter under the boardwalk and starting campfires, contributing to safety concerns.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small addressed the issue of homelessness, stating efforts were underway to address it through initiatives like the Boardwalk Improvement Group. Despite recent hirings and services offered, convincing homeless individuals to accept help remained challenging.
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Officials confirmed the fire was intentionally set but did not appear to be criminal in nature. The incident sheds light on the complex challenges facing both the city and those affected by homelessness in Atlantic City.
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