Flames are spreading rapidly along the boardwalk in Seaside Park at the Jersey Shore and smoke can be seen for at least 7 miles in the area.
“I see thick, billowing, black smoke with ruby red flames. It’s still raging out of control," says Justin Auciello, of Jersey Shore Hurricane News.
The fire, which started around 2:30 p.m. near Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard shop, 1800 Boardwalk, has now destroyed at least 80% of the boardwalk in Seaside Park. That's according to Seaside Park’s Police Chief, Francis Larken, who also says possibly three dozen businesses have also been destroyed.
Christine Hemingway was working inside the custard shop and says it appears the smoke was rising from underneath the boardwalk.
"Our manager came running through the stand and said 'get out,' we go around the corner in front of Biscayne Candy and there was smoke coming up from the boardwalk," said Hemingway. "There was a little smoke and then all of a sudden, it got real thick and black."
NJ Governor Chris Christie, pictured right, says fire crews have cut a 20-foot wide trench along the the boardwalk at Ocean and Lincoln Avenues.
Everything south of the trench is expected to be a total loss, says Christie. They are trying to save as much as possible north of the trench.
“It’s just devastating to the area. It’s just heartbreaking to see. After what we just went to almost a year ago, and now this. I’m just in disbelief and shock over this. I can’t believe it, " said Larkin.
Strong winds, whipping at speeds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, are presenting the biggest challenge for firefighters who have been called in from neighboring communities in Ocean, Monmouth and Atlantic County, NJ.
“It’s an all call, which means anybody that has equipment [in Ocean County] are asked to respond," says Al Della Fave, of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, who is handling calls for the Sheriff's office while they are on scene. That means up to 33 municipalities can respond.
“It’s all hands on deck and they’re doing the best they can, but the winds are really making it difficult," says Della Fave.
Embers have blown for at least 8 blocks, igniting a fire at a nearby condominium complex at Sumner Avenue and Ocean Terrace, which was quickly put out. Those embers have also landed on area homes and businesses.
Nancy O’Brien runs EJ’s Dance Club at 919 Boardwalk, which is about a mile and a half from the fire. Even at that distance the smoke is a real nuisance.
“It’s pretty acidy. Our eyes are burning. It’s very, very windy,” O’Brien said.
The area of the boardwalk between Stockton and Farragut Avenues, in front of Funtown Pier, was not destroyed during Superstorm Sandy. But the pier itself was, becoming a symbolic image of the storm's destruction.
An estimated 90% of the 33 rides on Funtown Pier were lost in the storm. The pier, which was not open this Summer, is now fully engulfed in flames, destroying the small portion that was left standing after the storm.
NBC10 cameras captured part of a structure on that pier falling down. Here's a before and after look at this landmark attraction.
“I can’t believe this! How much more can this town take?” O’Brien said.
The fire has also spread to at least four blocks of the boardwalk in neighboring Seaside Heights, which was destroyed by Sandy and then rebuilt.
Firefighters are now ripping up a section of that newly rebuilt Seaside Heights boardwalk near Lincoln Avenue to create a "fire break," which they hope will prevent the fire from spreading any further north.
Fire officials tell NBC10 Jersey Shore Bureau reporter Ted Greenberg that no injuries have been reported.
The Mathis Bridge, which connects Toms River to the Seaside area is closed to non-emergency vehicles, as of 5:30 p.m.
All roads leading into the area of Seaside Heights and Seaside Park are closed except to residents. “We are asking people to stay away from the area so that firefighters can fight this fire," said Donna Flynn, Public Information Officer for Ocean County Emergency Management.
The Borough of Seaside Park is located on the Barnegat Barrier Island in Ocean County, N.J.
Contact Lauren DiSanto at 610.668.5705, lauren.disanto@nbcuni.com or follow @LaurenNBC10 on Twitter.