A tragic incident occurred in Atlantic City when a man named Bruce Elder, 67, died in a fire that broke out under Central Pier at the boardwalk and Tennessee Avenue. Elder was believed to be homeless and appeared to be sleeping when the fire started. The fire chief mentioned that the area under the pier and the boardwalk is frequently used by homeless individuals, and a small campfire had been set near where Elder’s body was found. While the fire was determined to be intentionally set, it was not considered criminal in nature. The fire caused damage to the structure of part of the pier and some buildings above it, including a storage building, a section of a 99-cent store, and part of an arcade. Despite the damages, authorities were hopeful that the pier could be reopened safely before Memorial Day weekend. The main section of the Boardwalk remained open for visitors the day after the fire.
The fire broke out around 7:06 p.m. and escalated to a second alarm by 7:30 p.m., leading to an intense battle against the flames that lasted for three hours. Approximately 50 firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the fire despite challenging winds from the ocean. This incident marked at least the second fire on Atlantic City’s Boardwalk in recent months, with the previous one occurring in November near Resorts casino. The exact cause of the November fire remains unknown, but it was speculated that the actions of homeless individuals underneath the Boardwalk could have been a contributing factor. Similarly, back in Nov. 2009, the pier was struck by two fires within weeks of each other, causing damage to several businesses. During the second incident, the remains of a homeless man were found under the pier, with no evidence of foul play identified by authorities.
Authorities launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire that claimed Bruce Elder’s life. An autopsy was planned to ascertain his cause of death, shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office noted that a small homeless encampment was noticed in the area where the fire occurred, suggesting that the fire originated from a campfire near Elder’s location. Despite the intentional nature of the fire, it was not considered a criminal act. Fire Chief Scott Evans expressed his condolences regarding the unfortunate incident and underlined the continuous monitoring of encampments under the pier and boardwalk. Efforts were made to repair the damages to the pier and surrounding buildings to ensure the safety of reopening in time for the Memorial Day weekend.
While repairs were necessary following the fire, the primary section of the Boardwalk remained unscathed and open to the public. The damage caused by the fire did not extend to the main Boardwalk, providing a sense of relief amid the tragedy. The collaborative efforts of firefighters during the blaze were essential in containing the fire and preventing further destruction to the iconic Boardwalk area. The community in Atlantic City was once again confronted with a devastating incident, emphasizing the importance of fire safety measures and continuous support for homeless populations in the region. As investigations continued into the cause of the fire involving Bruce Elder, authorities remained committed to determining the circumstances surrounding the tragic event and implementing preventative measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
