New Jersey City Considers Fire-Resistant Boardwalk

A New Jersey city is considering replacing a section of boardwalk damaged by Superstorm Sandy with material that’s more resistant to fire.

Asbury Park’s plan comes weeks after a fire on the boardwalk in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights destroyed dozens of businesses.

The Asbury Park Press reports the Federal Emergency Management Agency is proposing Asbury fill the undercarriage of the boardwalk with gravel or concrete material. FEMA says that would make the boardwalk more fire resistant and sturdier.

The city’s engineer says it would also cut reconstruction costs by 40 percent to the section of the boardwalk that was damaged by Sandy.

Asbury’s City Council is expected to vote on the proposal on Oct. 15.

Investigators blamed Sandy for damaging electrical wiring that sparked the fire in Seaside.