Salt water-damaged electrical wiring caused the fire that destroyed about 30 businesses along New Jersey's newly restored boardwalk, an official said Tuesday.Ocean County prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato said the wiring was old and had been further compromised by Hurricane Sandy, NJ.com reported.
The wiring, installed after 1970, "could have failed on its own," but had received additional wear from sea water and sand tossed up by the storm, Coronato said.
The prosecutor's announcement came after an extensive investigation by fire officials that ruled out arson or an idly tossed cigarette.
The fire was found to have started under Biscayne Candies and Kohr's Frozen Custard, he said. Aided by 30 mph winds, it destroyed stores along 4 blocks in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights.
Damage has been estimated at $5 million to $10 million by Seaside Heights Police Chief Thomas Boyd.
Repairs to the boardwalk, which was extensively damaged in October by Superstorm Sandy, had only been completed just before Memorial Day, ABC News reported.