A fire that started under the Atlantic City Boardwalk claimed the life of a homeless man.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Friday afternoon that a 3-alarm fire that engulfed a section of the Atlantic City Boardwalk took the life of a homeless man.
The fire reported around 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, started under the Boardwalk in the 1400-block of the Boardwalk near Tennessee Avenue. It claimed the life of Bruce Eder, 67, who resided last in Atlantic City.
The prosecutor said It appears that the origin of the fire started under the Boardwalk, where a small homeless encampment was located. The fire spread upward damaging the Boardwalk and an arcade.
The victim appeared to be sleeping at the time of the fire, the prosecutor said. The official cause of death is pending an autopsy.
According to the release from the Prosecutor’s Office, the cause of the fire appeared to be an open flame near combustibles. A small campfire was set in the approximate area of the victim. Although the fire was intentionally set, it does not appear to be criminal in nature, the prosecutor said.
Firefighters were called to the area just after 7 p.m., Fire Chief Scott Evans said.
The heavy fire then spread to the main pier, along with the 99 cent store.
About 50 firefighters were on scene to knock down the fire. It took several hours to bring the fire under control.
Firefighter units from Ventnor, Absecon and Pleasantville provided mutual aid at fire stations.
