Boardwalk Fire Strikes Playland's Castaway Cove

By MADDY VITALE and DONALD WITTKOWSKI A multi-alarm fire Saturday morning on the Ocean City Boardwalk struck the Playland’s Castaway Cove amusement park, but firefighters were able to contain the blaze to just one building. Firefighters initiated a full response as the fire quickly advanced through a building that includes the Playland’s Castaway Cove arcade and offices, Hamburger Construction Company and Dairy Queen, authorities said. “The building suffered extensive damage. There does not appear to be structural damage to the Boardwalk, but this will be subject to further inspection,” the city said in a press release. In the meantime, full access to the block of the Boardwalk between 10th and 11th streets will be restored only as conditions allow. People are encouraged to avoid the area until the fire response is over, according to the release. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and remains under investigation. Flames and thick black smoke rise above the Boardwalk in the early stages of the blaze. Playland’s Castaway Cove posted a statement on its Facebook Page thanking the first responders. It also assured Playland’s customers that the amusement park will rebuild and plans to reopen this spring. “We struggle to comprehend this morning’s events and what will be of the next few months, but we can assure you this, WE WILL REBUILD!!” the statement said. “We have a secondary entrance that will now be our main entrance for the foreseeable future. We will be open sooner rather than later! For now, hug your loved ones, pray for the first responders and know that we will be back in the spring of 2021!” the post said. Video showed firefighters spraying water on the iconic pirate ship replica that serves as Playland’s main entrance overlooking the Boardwalk between 10th and 11th streets. As of late Saturday morning, the fire was under control, but firefighters remained on the scene working to fully extinguish the blaze. A west wind fueled the fire but likely spared neighboring buildings. Required structural firewalls between properties also worked effectively, the release stated. A building that includes the Playland’s Castaway Cove arcade and offices, Hamburger Construction Company and Dairy Queen was extensively damaged. There were no occupants in the building at the time of the fire, which was reported at 7:40 a.m. No fire-related injuries were reported, although emergency responders will be assessed for any injuries related to the extreme cold. All Ocean City fire, police and public works units were on recall as a three-block perimeter was established to fight the fire. The Marmora Volunteer Fire Department, Longport Volunteer Fire Department, Margate Fire Department, Somers Point Fire Department, Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company, Seaville Volunteer Fire Company and Strathmere Volunteer Fire Company provided mutual aid, 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). Ocean City fire trucks and other emergency vehicles respond to the scene.