Business Owners Allowed Back To Seaside Fire Site

Business owners are now free to pursue rebuilding efforts along the Seaside Heights and Seaside Park boardwalk after officials with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office completed their investigation into last week's fire, officials said.

Al Della Fave, press officer for the Prosecutor's office, said following conclusion of the criminal investigation and the release of the Fire Investigation Task Force's findings yesterday, local fire and police officials are responsible for security at the site.

As of this morning, local police had already called units in from New Jersey Natural Gas to investigate a report of an odor of gas near the Sawmill Café, but NJNG officials said the odor was not gas related.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D Coronato released findings relating to the fire investigation yesterday, saying the fire was accidental and noting that it was likely linked to live electrical wiring under the boardwalk that had been compromised by Sandy floodwaters.

While Coronato said investigators "may never know" if the fire was caused by old wiring that had been installed in the 1970s or Sandy, he encouraged business and property owners to be cautious as they move forward. "If you think your electrical work came in contact with water and sand, we strongly recommend you have electrical contractors go out and make sure it's safe," he said.

Today crowds continued to gather at the site to take in the damage along the damaged boardwalk.

Crews from Smart Center, Helping Hands of New Jersey, and Seaside Heights fire Department joined forces with Home Depot and Coca-Cola for cleanup efforts as well today.