Massive fire engulfs homes at Jersey Shore

Firefighters are trying to save a condominium building after flames have gutted four homes and a vacant hotel in a historic New Jersey shore community.

Fire officials say everyone has been accounted for who lives in the impacted area.


Flames broke out just before 5 a.m. Friday morning in a vacant hotel on Seaview Ave. in the Ocean Grove section of Neptune Township and the flames quickly ignited adjacent structures in the community, where homes are close together.

Police Capt. Michael McGhee says it could have been worse as firefighters from 11 communities worked to contain the flames. Two firefighters sustained injuries. There was no immediate word on the extent of their injuries.

Flames and embers then spread to the upper floors of the La Pierre condominium complex along Wesley Lake, which is across from Asbury Park. The township's emergency management office says all of the occupants were safely evacuated.

Firefighters from many communities are on the scene and utilities have been turned off in the area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Ocean Grove was formed as a religious community in 1869. The community claims the largest number of Victorian architecture in the nation.

With the Associated Press