Point Pleasant Beach Motel Fire: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Point Pleasant Beach Motel Fire: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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A Point Pleasant Beach motel has erupted in fire early this morning and there are multiple people who have lost their lives in the tragic incident. Read on for the facts.

1. The Mariner’s Cove Motor Inn Was the Motel That Caught on Fire

The L-shaped motel is located at 50 Broadway in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey and it has been in operation since 1985. Reportedly, firefighters from Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, and South Wall, New Jersey were all called to help fight the flames. According to My Central Jersey, approximately 50 firefighters responded.

The Mariner’s Cove Motor Inn website describes the motel as:

Since 1985, Mariner’s Cove Motel has been the closest motel on Broadway to the beach and directly across from charter and party fishing boats and within walking distance of Point Pleasant’s finest restaurants.

Nearby structures were also damaged in the fire.

2. A Fire Began in the Early Morning Hours

Firefighters arrived on the scene just after 5:30 a.m. . ABC Local News reports:

The flames broke out at the Mariner’s Cove Motor Inn in Point Pleasant Beach just before 6 a.m. Fire shot through roof of the structure, which is located just a few blocks from the beach.

An eyewitness told USA Today his horrific story about how he and his family escaped the fire:

Shawn Wardel, who was staying on the first floor of the motel with his family, said his grandmother woke up other family members to warn them of the fire, and the family and police had to get his disabled grandfather out of the building … He said the fire started on the other side of the building, and wind appeared to blow the fire to the side they were on. When he walked out of his room, he saw only flames, he said.

3. Three People are Dead So Far

Several of the rooms of the motel were occupied and guests were injured as they tried to escape the burning building. Three have been reported dead thus far. All who were injured were reportedly taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Some of the injured suffered burns, broken bones, and smoke inhalation. An Ocean County Sheriff’s officer was among the injured.

Reportedly, some of the injured victims were pulled out, while others jumped from the structure. USA Today reports:

Pete Kuch, 45, who was staying on the second floor, leaped to safety from the second-story balcony.

NBC has updated that while 3 victims are dead, 8 are hurt and 10 are still missing. The deceased victims were all males.

4. Victims of Hurricane Sandy Were Reportedly Staying at the Motel

According to ABC, the motel is pretty much gutted and has partially collapsed. Nearby streets have been shut down so that firefighters can try to find any additional survivors and victims. Reportedly, there were several Hurricane Sandy victims staying at the motel.

5. The Cause of the Fire Is Under Investigation

The motel sits two blocks from the beach and has been completely destroyed. Presently, the cause of the fire in unknown, but is being investigated.

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