A  crowd assembled on the beach and boardwalk to see the efforts to control this fire. 4/13/19 Paul Goldfinger ©

White Whale fire. Blogfinger photo

Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.net

The large white building was unoccupied when the fire was reported at about 11:30 am. A huge assemblage of fire and emergency trucks showed up very quickly, but most of the firemen were standing on the boardwalk  We saw a small crew at the rear where it appears that the fire began in the space under the restaurants.  They were using hoses to run water in

The crowd was told to stand back at noon because of fear of a gas explosion. We have no information as to the cause or extent, but it seems as if there was trouble quelling the blaze. Trucks were still arriving with sirens blasting as late as 2:30  pm.

This photo above is from March 2016 when rotten supports were revealed under that building during boardwalk work, and there was concern about the structural integrity of the building.

During Sandy in 2012, the rear of this structure collapsed raising questions if this building could be used again and if repairs were done according to post Sandy specifications.

This is what happened to the rear of the White Whale after Sandy 2012. Blogfinger photo ©

2:00 pm:   Reports of spreading blaze that threatens the entire building.  Flames break through the roof.   A rumor says that suspicious people had been living underneath.

APP photo at 2:00 pm–then the roof collapsed. (APP)

Go to APP.com for updates.

3:30 pm  APP   “Firefighters are battling a four-alarm blaze at an Ocean Grove boardwalk eatery that has already caused a partial collapse of the boardwalk, emergency officials said.”

Heavy smoke is spreading to other towns.

We have no information as to who owns this building.  It has been successful in recent summers as a food court.  It is located just inside the line that separates OG from Asbury Park.

8:30 pm  Building is a total loss; will have to be torn down.